Elementary Principal

At Starkville Academy since 1990; Principal since 1991

Education

Mississippi State University, 1997:  Education Specialist in Educational Leadership
Mississippi State University, 1982:  Master of Extension Education
Mississippi State University, 1981: Bachelor of Science in Home Economics/Child Development
1977 Diploma - Tupelo High School

Previous Experience

August 1990 - May 1991 Kindergarten Teacher: Starkville Academy
August 1981 - May 1990 Coordinator and Head Teacher
Home Economics Child Development Center - MSU

Honors

Oktibbeha County’s Top 40 Over 40 (2008)
Starkville Academy Service Award (2007)
Alpha Kappa Chapter Woman of Distinction, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (2007)
Summa Cum Laude Graduate (1981)

Professional Offices

2007 – 08 President, Mississippi Private School Education Association
2006 – 08 Parliamentarian, Alpha Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
2006 – 07 Vice President, Mississippi Private School Education Association
2006 – 07 Preschool Teacher Training Ad-hoc Committee Chairman for the Mississippi Private School Education Association
2005 – 06 District II East Director, Mississippi Private School Education Association
2005 – 06 Preschool/Kindergarten Standards Committee Chairman for the Mississippi Private School Education Association
2004 – 06 President, Alpha Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
2002 – 04 Vice President, Alpha Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
2000 – 02 Membership Chairman, Alpha Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
1998 Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee
1997 – 2008 Starkville Academy School Accreditation Coordinator for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Southern Association of Independent Schools

Professional Development Activities

2008 Participated in the Starkville/Oktibbeha County Leadership
Forum’s “Youth: The Future of the South”, Starkville, MS
2007 Attended Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Zeta State
Conference, Jackson, MS
2007 Attended Jackson Area Association of Independent Schools Library Consortium Seminar, Jackson Academy, Jackson, MS
2007 Attended Renaissance Learning’s “Accelerated Reader Best Classroom Practices” Seminar, Birmingham, AL
2005 – 2007 Directed Camp Invention Summer Program at Starkville Academy, Starkville, MS
1998 – 2006 Attended Mississippi Education Computer Association Conference
1997 – 2007 Steering Committee Chairman for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Starkville Academy, Starkville, MS
2005 Attended Camp Invention’s Director and Teacher Training Session, Birmingham, AL
2005 Attended the Software Technologies Incorporated Regional Conference, Orange Beach, AL
2004 Facilitated Elementary Principals Roundtable at the Mississippi Private School Education Association’s North State Convention, Pillow Academy, Greenwood, MS
2004 Attended the Area Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Spring Meeting, Louisville High School, Louisville, MS
2003 Attended Mississippi Science Teachers Association Convention, Jackson, MS
2002 Attended the Zeta State President’s Leadership Workshop for Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Louisville, MS
2000 Participated in the Teachers of the Gifted Instructional Forum: Problem-based Learning
1998 Completed the Continuing Education Course, Early Childhood Conference: “Preventing Retention in an Era of High Standards”, Mississippi State University
1996 Conducted a Research Study with Dr. G. Franklin Elrod,
“Debunking the Myths of the Effect of Class Size and Current Educational Trends on Student Achievement”, Starkville Academy and Mississippi State University
1995 Attended the “Institutional Effectiveness and the Classroom” Workshop sponsored by the Institutional Research and Division of Continuing Education, Mississippi State University
1995 Participated in the course, “School Law in Mississippi,” sponsored by the National Business Institute
1993 – 94 Attended the Mississippi Administrator Developmental Network Workshop sponsored by the Mississippi Association of School Administrators, Louisville, MS
1992 Attended the Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Conference sponsored by the University of Southern Mississippi
1991 Attended the Early Childhood Conference, “Getting the Reading
and Writing Processes to Work for You,” Mississippi State University
1989 Attended the National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, Atlanta, GA
1987 – 90 Attended the Spring Southern Association of Children Under Six Regional Conferences

Philosophy

The elementary school years are the foundation upon which a solid education is built. It is our responsibility as educators to work hand in hand with students and their parents to provide a classroom atmosphere that is conducive to learning as well as one that is challenging to creative young minds. We also have the privilege of teaching our students about God’s love for us and instilling in them good character and Christian principles.