Tim Ware hired to oversee five state-run schools in Memphis Frayser

The state’s Achievement School District (ASD) has hired Tim Ware, a charter school founder and education leadership coach, to oversee its five schools in Frayser, a bedroom community of Memphis.

“Tim is a visionary, passionate, and humble leader with a strong track record of success and clear commitment to Memphis as an educator,” ASD Superintendent Chris Barbic said in a news release on Monday.

Tim Ware

A graduate of Cedarville University in Ohio, Ware came to Memphis in 2006 as a Teach for America recruit to teach history at Frayser High School. In 2010, he founded Memphis’ Veritas College Preparatory Charter School, recognized by the state Department of Education for being in the state’s top 5 percent of schools for student growth. In 2013, he joined New Leaders Memphis, an organization that trains principals.

Ware becomes executive director over five struggling schools with 1,700 students: the former Corning Elementary, Frayser Elementary, Westside Middle, Whitney Elementary and Georgian Hills Elementary.

When the ASD began its efforts in 2012 to turn around underperforming schools, the district opted to operate the Frayser schools directly rather than to turn over their care to charter school management organizations, as it did with other priority schools among the state’s bottom 5 percent of schools in student test scores.

Ware replaces Ash Solar, who will resign his position at the close of this school year to return to California with his family.