Incoming Van Buren director of schools reflects on years at Tech

At 31 years old, Tennessee Tech University alumnus Jared Copeland, Ed.S., has ascended far and fast in his career as a local educator.

Following his graduation in December 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a concentration in history, the Jamestown native began teaching social studies classes at Cookeville High School.

Soon after, Copeland and his wife, fellow educator and Tech alumna Natasha Copeland, made the move to Van Buren County where he first taught at Van Buren County High School and later took on the assistant principal role at the school.

Since 2019, Copeland has served as the county school system’s supervisor of instructional technology and accountability – a role that saw him managing the county’s pivot to virtual learning during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

And starting July 1, Copeland will hold a new title: Van Buren County director of schools. The board of education unanimously elected Copeland to the position in May, likely making him the youngest person to hold the role in the county’s history.

“I knew that, at some point in my career, I would like to go for the role, but I didn’t quite know it would be this soon,” said Copeland. “I felt like this was a chance and a time to go for it. I definitely had the encouragement of peers, colleagues and family. There was a lot of thought and prayer that went into it.”

Copeland said he hopes to build on recent successes in his new role and continue the county’s upward trajectory.

“We’re here for our students, for our kids, and I want to keep us on the right track,” said Copeland. “Van Buren County has a lot of great things going on. We’re labeled an ‘exemplary district’ by the Tennessee Department of Education. That didn’t happen overnight or by mistake. We’ve got wonderful teachers, staff and leadership, so I want to keep that same momentum going because, at the end of the day, everything we do is for our students and their benefit. That is why we exist.”

As Copeland looks to the opportunities and challenges ahead, he says he is thankful for the educational foundation that Tech provided.

“I always think back fondly on Tech,” added Copeland. “Those were obviously formative years in my life. Tech did a great job preparing me curriculum-wise. I think the best things that Tech offers are making great connections. It was during those years at Tech that I met a lot of great people, professors and administrators – folks that I still talk to today. Tech did a wonderful job with that.”

 

That fondness is mutual for Copeland’s professors at Tech, including James Akenson, professor of curriculum and instruction.

“I remember Jared vividly,” said Akenson. “Jared represents so much of what is good about Tennessee Tech. His positive attitude and work ethic obviously have carried Jared forward and will continue to pay multiplying dividends as he leads Van Buren County Schools to help students of all walks of life and identities be successful. What an honor and a privilege to have played a small part in the success of Jared Copeland!”

Jeremy Wendt, chair of the department of curriculum and instruction in the College of Education, added, “I remember Jared being a really engaged student. The topics that we worked on were always fun and he put together some great videos and presentations.”

After Copeland takes the reins as director of schools on July 1, he will have a six-month transition period with the outgoing director, Tech alumna Cheryl Cope, before her retirement at the end of the year.

Copeland and his wife, Natasha, live in Spencer with children Maddux, age 5, and Myla, age 2.