About Us

Mrs. Debbie Sayers, Principal

Email: debbie.sayers@knoxschools.org

Mrs. Sayers is a veteran science teacher with 16 years of classroom experience: four years at Jackson High School (Michigan), seven years at West High School, and five years at Hardin Valley Academy.  During that time, she taught basic and CP biology, CP and honors chemistry, PWC, Honors Chemistry 2, and AP Chemistry.  She coached volleyball, boys’ and girls’ cross country, and girls track.  

While at HVA, she served as STEM Academy Dean, lead teacher, and facilitated the chemistry and AP/Honors professional learning communities.  She mentored over 200 Senior Portfolio students, established partnerships with engineers and scientists in the Knoxville/UTK/Oak Ridge corridor, and helped organize the Science Matters lecture series in collaboration with science teachers at Farragut High School.  She directed the HVA STEM Camp, the Two Blues STEM Camp (HVA/FHS), and the Fountain City STEAM Camp for elementary and middle school students.

She served as an AP Reader for four years, a test item writer and reviewer for the ACT/PLAN/Explore tests, a test item reviewer for the state chemistry exam (TN), and was one of several authors for the AP Chemistry Lab Manual during the re-design of the course in 2013. She was named Knox County Schools High School Teacher of the Year and the East TN Section of the American Chemical Society Chemistry Teacher of the Year in 2013. She served as curriculum principal at Farragut High School for two years and as an assistant principal at Central High School for four years.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Spring Arbor University in Michigan and a Masters of Science in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.  She is honored to serve the students and staff of Bearden High School.

Dr. Dave Rynkiewicz

Email: david.rynkiewicz@knoxschools.org

Dr. Rynkiewicz is known for his positive, collaborative, supportive, and approachable leadership qualities. Dave started his career as a substitute teacher in 2007 before finding an interim position as a mathematics and physical education teacher at Frank Wright School in El Monte City School District in El Monte, California. He taught math at David Starr Jordan Middle School in Burbank and then served as math teacher and department chair at San Dimas High School in San Dimas, where he was recognized as San Dimas High School Teacher of the Year in 2015. In 2017, he moved into administration as an assistant principal at West Covina High School. In 2021, he was named executive principal at Gabrielino High School in San Gabriel, California.

Dave has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance from Cal State University, a single subject teaching credential in mathematics from Point Loma Nazarene University, a master of arts in Diversified Biblical and Theological Studies from BIOLA University, and an Ed.D in K-12 Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California. Dr. Rynkiewicz is also fluent in Spanish. Dave has been married to his wife Flavia for 13 years and has two children.

Donald Balcom

Principal: Business, Leadership, and Communications Academy

Email: donald.balcom@knoxschools.org

Mr. Balcom is a Roane County native and holds a Bachelor's Degree in History and a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Tennessee. He also holds an Education Specialist Degree in Administration from Lincoln Memorial University. He has been in the classroom for the past 15 years and has taught in Blount County, Lenoir City, and Monroe County Schools before joining Knox County Schools at Bearden High School in 2015. He has been a Head Boys' Basketball Coach and Head Boys' Baseball Coach in his 15 years of being in coaching in public education.

While at Bearden, Mr. Balcom has been the Social Studies Department Chair, helped run the Bertelkamp Center for Academic Excellence for student-athletes, PLC Team Leader for U.S. History, writer of the State Curriculum for the Americans at War course for Knox County Schools, and still serves as a Lead Mentor teacher on the New Teacher Mentor Team for all student teachers/interns and new teachers to Bearden High School. 

He and his wife have been married for 22 years and have a son who is pursuing an Architecture Degree from the University of Tennessee. Mr. Balcom loves to spend quality time with his family, traveling, being outdoors boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and having a good book in his hands.

Rebecca Bitner

Principal: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Fine Arts Academy

Email: rebecca.bitner@knoxschools.org

Mrs. Bitner began her educational career in 2002 as an ELA teacher at South Doyle Middle School.  In 2003, she transferred to Blount County Schools where she taught 6th-8th math and ELA resource/inclusion, K-5th resource/inclusion, and 6th-12th CDC.  While in Blount County, she also served as district CPI trainer and coached middle school dance and cheerleading.  In 2012, Mrs. Bitner transferred back to Knox County as a TAP mentor teacher for South Doyle Middle.  One year later, she became a special education facilitator, supporting middle and high schools, serving on the high school transition team, and working as a district trainer for “Universal Design for Learning” and “Co-teaching.”  

Mrs. Bitner served as an assistant principal at South Doyle Middle for two years (2020-2022) and as principal at Ridgedale School and the Night Alternative Program from 2022-24.  She has worked in the clinical setting as a behavioral therapist at Knoxville Center for Autism and in the recreational setting as camp director for Mary/Alcoa Parks & Recreaction’s camp for children and adults with disabilities.  She was a member of the KCS Parent Advisory Council and a trainer for the TN Department of Education’s “Building Strong Brains; Trauma Informed Practices.”

Mrs. Bitner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Language Arts, a Master of Science in Education from the University of Tennessee, and an Educational Specialist in Administration from Lincoln Memorial University.  She completed her coursework for Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.   Mrs. Bitner is beyond excited to serve the Bearden High community and school!

Stephen Harris

Principal: Health and Human Science and Services Academy

Email: stephen.harris@knoxschools.org

Mr. Harris is a veteran educator with 13 years of experience. During his career, he has worked as a substitute teacher, a teaching assistant, a teacher, and a coach. He started his career in behavioral management classrooms at Ross Robinson Middle School and Tennessee High School before working as a staff member and mentor at Crossing Point, a boys' group home. From there, he taught Algebra 1 and special education at Farragut High School and special education, ELA, math, and positive behavior classes at Alcoa High School. He was a member of Alcoa's RTI2B implementation team and served on the At-Risk Student Committee. After three years at Alcoa High, he returned to Farragut High School, where he served as a special education teacher for four years. In addition to his time in the classroom, Steve has worked as an EdTPA scorer, reviewing and scoring teacher candidate portfolios.

Mr. Harris is originally from Bristol, TN, and graduated from Tennessee High School. He attended East Tennessee State University, earning his Bachelor's degree in Special Education. Mr. Harris has also earned his Master's degree in Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University and his Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. 

Jacob Snider

Principal: Freshman Academy

Email: jacob.snider@knoxschools.org

Mr. Snider moved to Knoxville from the St. Louis area in 2010 to begin his teaching career.  During his time in the classroom, he taught math at Halls Middle, Whittle Springs Middle, Carter Middle, and South Doyle Middle schools.  After a brief stint teaching math and coaching football and track in Campbell County, he returned to KCS for good, serving as math department chair, grade level leader, and lead teacher at Whittle Springs.  Most recently, Mr. Snider served as an assistant administrator and athletic director at Halls Middle School, looping with this year’s rising freshmen as their 7th and 8th grade principal.  He believes in building meaningful relationships, holding students to high expectations, and supporting teachers to create a successful learning environment for all students.

Mr. Snider holds a bachelor's degree from Augustana College (IL) in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics and a master's degree in educational leadership from Bethel University (TN).  He is very excited to join the Bearden family, working beside staff to help students reach their full potential.