Dr. Jane Everly, principal of Davis Magnet Elementary, has been named the Jackson Public Schools' Administrator of the Year. Dr. Jayne B. Sargent, interim superintendent of the district, made the announcement during the February 21, 2012, meeting of the Jackson Public Schools' Board of Trustees.
Davis Magnet is the first elementary school in Mississippi authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. Under Everly's leadership, the school has achieved a Star School rating from the Mississippi Department of Education and was designated a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 2008.
"Probably the most important factor in my decision to become an educator was that I loved being a student," said Everly, a former gifted education teacher and administrator. "I have always enjoyed learning and believe strongly in the premise that educators must be life-long learners."
She holds an undergraduate degree from Belhaven College, master's and specialist's degrees from Mississippi College, and a doctorate degree from Jackson State University. She is a former gifted education teacher and coordinator for JPS and was an assistant principal at Woodville Heights Elementary from 2004 to 2007.
Everly said, "Real learning is about making connections to prior knowledge and across traditional subject lines. It is being able to apply skills, solve problems, create, and innovate." This philosophy was instrumental in her leading the school in the development of an arts integration focus through a partnership with Ask4More Arts.
Recently, the school began a collaboration with the University of Mississippi Medical Center where medical professionals will come to the school to work with students in using the scientific inquiry to solve problems. "Both the UMMC and Davis team members are thrilled about the opportunity to develop and sustain an interest in scientific inquiry and an early pipeline to medical school," she said.
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| Dr. Jane Everly, principal of Davis Magnet Elementary, learns she is the 2012 JPS Administrator of the Year during the February 21, 2012, meeting of the JPS School Board. |
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| Kathy Broom (left) of Parents & Kids magazine congratulates Dr. Everly. Cook sponsors the Administrator and Teacher of the Year plaques and is one of many gift donors from the community. |
Dr. Everly's supporters included (from left) James Mason, friend and former JPS curriculum director; Jean Prather, former JPS teacher and administrator; Everly; Lucy Hansford, friend and former JPS community relations coordinator. |
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| Students and faculty from Davis Magnet Elementary attended the JPS Board meeting to hear the announcement that their principal, Dr. Jane Everly (center) is the 2012 JPS Administrator of the Year. |