About Us

Located in Board of Education District 8 and KCS Region 4, Ritta Elementary School was established in 1905. Surrounded by scenic farm land, with the occasional sound of a train whistle, and a brief five minute drive from town, you'll find our little jewel in Northeast Knoxville.

Ritta Elementary is committed to providing an outstanding education for just over 500 students in Northeast Knox County. We serve a diverse community, and we strive to provide educational experiences to help our students become successful lifelong learners.

Our goal is to educate our students, not only academically, but also in exhibiting positive character traits such as being Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and Kind. RITTA grows Responsible Individuals Today, Tomorrow, Always.

Principal

Shawnda Ernst

Mrs. Ernst has been with Knox County Schools for nearly three decades and has experience in various educational roles. She began her career in education in 1996 as a teacher at Pond Gap Elementary, where she taught until 2006. She then served as a TAP Master Teacher at Pond Gap until 2011. She began her career in administration as an Assistant Principal at Pond Gap from 2011 to 2013, when she was moved to Ritta Elementary as Assistant Principal. She has served as Principal at Ritta since 2016.

Mrs. Ernst holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction, both from the University of Tennessee. She received her Educational Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

email Mrs. Ernst

Assistant Principal

David Mowry

Mr. Mowry has served in numerous roles with Knox County Schools since 1995. He began his career as a Health and Physical Education teacher at Whittle Springs Middle School from 1995 - 1997. He then moved to Bearden Elementary, where he taught PE from 1999 - 2009. From 2009 - 2010, he taught PE at Brickey McCloud, then he worked in full-time ministry for 3 years. In 2013, he returned to KCS, teaching PE at Ritta, and also becoming a TAP Mentor teacher. He has served as Ritta's Assistant Principal since 2017.

EMAIL MR. MOWRY

Staff Directory

Our staff directory provides a comprehensive and easily accessible listing of school and district personnel. Searches can be made by name, job title, or facility location.

Search Directory

Calendar

Ritta Elementary follows an academic calendar approved by the Board of Education that identifies the first and last day of school; student and teacher in-service days; school holidays; and grading periods.

These calendars are detailed by school year.

See Calendar

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