Ms. Shanna Hensley, principal of Dobyns-Bennett EXCEL, is a wife of Mr. Eric Hensley and loving mother of a Dobyns-Bennett Senior, Mr. Gunner Hensley. Shanna has two brothers, one of which also enjoys her passion for teaching, and the other who is the President and CEO of Goodwill of Tenneva.

Shanna graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Mrs. Hensley taught at Avoca Elementary School in Bristol City Schools before transferring to Kingsport City Schools to teach at Johnson Elementary. After which, Shanna worked as an Assistant to the Principal there for two years before moving to Lincoln Elementary to serve as an Assistant Principal for one year. Mrs. Hensley then became Principal of Kennedy Elementary before finding her home here at Dobyns-Bennett EXCEL.

In her spare time, Mrs. Hensley enjoys playing the piano and reading. However, her true passion is serving her community, teachers, and students by helping each person she comes into contact with reach his or her full potential. DBE is truly lucky to have such a strong guidance for our school.