Welcome to our new CEO cohort!
Thirty-seven administrators from public school districts across Mississippi will gather virtually Aug. 30 for the first meeting of this year’s CEO Leadership Academy.
CEO stands for Collaborating to Empower Others – a five-year partnership between the Program of Research and Evaluation for Public Schools (PREPS) and the Phil Hardin Foundation to help school leaders develop the tools they need to help students succeed.
A statewide research and advocacy organization, PREPS is housed at William Carey University’s Hattiesburg campus. Dr. Chuck Benigno is the executive director.
“We are thrilled to announce this outstanding group of educators who are joining our CEO Leadership family. Over the past few years, graduates have enhanced their skills through a renewed focus on creating healthy school cultures based on empathy and respect. Bringing practitioners together from all over Mississippi creates a learning environment that is second to none and I can’t wait to get started,” Benigno said.
Here’s a look at the 2021-22 CEO Leadership Academy class, hailing from 25 public school districts and all four Mississippi Congressional districts:
Jonathan Beasley, Pass Christian Public School District
Cassie Bridges, Lawrence County School District
J. Timothy Bryant, Marion County School District
LaWanda Campbell, Vicksburg Warren School District
Logan Cheek, Kosciusko School District
Sandra Danzey, Stone County School District
Kristin Davis, George County School District
Michael Dean, George County School District
Josh Dodd, Kosciusko School District
Katrina Dwyer, Biloxi School District
Heather Gordon, Vicksburg Warren School District
Carol Jones, Hattiesburg School District
Amy Kelley, Poplarville School District
Angela McHenry, Lauderdale County School District
Sherrod Miller, Meridian School District
Mable Moore, Meridian School District
Shacora Moore, Lauderdale County School District
Charles David Morgan, Lamar County School District
Tawanda Nichols, Vicksburg Warren School District
Phatasis O’Harroll, Vicksburg Warren School District
Elizabeth Overby, Yazoo County School District
Christopher Penton, Pearl River County School District
Ann-Marie Porter, Ocean Springs School District
Melissa Rouse, Vicksburg Warren School District
Zachari Ruff, Lauderdale County School District
Brooke Sibley, Newton County Schools
Gina Smith, Louisville School District
Matt Smith, Lowndes County School District
Joseph Stone, Kemper County School District
Jenny Story, Poplarville School District
Jessica Thomas, Newton County Schools
Maci Torres, Hancock County School District
Lealue Triplett, Okolona School District
Danya Turner, Louisville School District
Jerel Wade, Perry County School District
Brooke Walter, Petal School District
Lakaya Washington, McComb School District
“The goal of CEO Leadership Academy is for school leaders to collaborate, build networks and work together. By digging deep into the research and keeping abreast of best practices and strategies, they enhance teacher and student interactions,” said Dr. Patti Permenter, PREPS associate director.
“This year’s academy will be mostly virtual due to COVID-19 concerns. However, this gives an opportunity for the group to network with colleagues from around the nation.”
For more information, visit www.mspreps.org.
