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In addition to her WCS experience, Wilkin has been in education for nearly 20 years. She served as Dean of Students at Bellevue Middle School and began her teaching career with Cheatham County Schools and served as coach for several sports teams in that district.

“I am so excited to be the principal of CPE,� Wilken said. “To start a school from the ground up is truly something special. To be the one who will lead the Pack and build the culture of a school that will impact the community is something that I don't take lightly and will do my very best to make it a special place for all who enter the doors of CPE!�

In August, for the new school year, Wilken says she hopes to establish school pride for the new elementary school, which will have a coyote as the mascot.

“My vision for CPE is an elementary school where the community is proud to say their child is a Coyote. I want all stakeholders to feel like they are a part of the Pack! I want all who walk through the doors to feel like this is where they belong because it will be a safe place with high expectations,� she said.

“CPE will be a place where new traditions are set, excellence is the norm, and all students want to come to school. I look forward to building a team of educators who will share my vision of putting students at the heart of all that we do.�

Director of Schools Jeff Luttrell made the official announcement earlier this week, praising Wilken’s administrative abilities.

“CPE is in very good hands with Mrs. Wilken leading the way,� Luttrell said.

Coworkers at Gladeville Middle School say her presence will be missed in those hallways, but that they’re proud of Wilken for her new role as Central Pike Elementary gears up for opening at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year.

Central Pike Elementary will be located at 14045 Central Pike, south of Mt. Juliet, and have capacity for a little more than 1,000 students.