Jackson Public Schools has announced the appointment of new school administrators at eight of the district's schools for the 2025-2026 school year. Michaela Barnes (Bates), Bridney Pope (Peeples), and Natasha Simmons (Galloway) will be serving as JPS principals for the first time in the upcoming school year. Additionally, veteran JPS educator and administrator, Alfie Clark, will be returning to the school level to serve as the director at Wells APAC. 

Please help us welcome our school administrators to their new posts for next year.

About the 2025-2026 New Principal Appointees

Bates Elementary 

Michaela Barnes brings over a decade of teaching and leadership experience to her new role. Previously, she served as Assistant Principal at Spann Elementary School, providing support for academic and operational leadership. She has served as a curriculum lead specialist at the district level. In a full-circle situation, she is returning to Bates where she served as a teacher/leader from 2014-2018. She holds multiple degrees from Mississippi College, including master’s and specialist degrees. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Clausell Elementary

April Benjamin brings 18 years of dedicated service to Jackson Public Schools, where she has consistently demonstrated a passion for student success and instructional excellence. Her career began as a fourth-grade teacher at Bradley Elementary in 2007. Since then, she has served in various instructional and leadership roles including fourth- and fifth-grade teacher and team leader, K–5 instructional interventionist, academic coach, assistant principal and more. A native of Jackson and a proud JPS graduate, Mrs. Benjamin also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Mississippi College, and a Master of Education in School Leadership and Administration from Belhaven University.

Galloway Elementary

Natasha Simmons most recently served as an elementary school principal, where she oversaw the academic and administrative operations of a PK–5 campus. Under her leadership, the school achieved a remarkable increase of more than 35% in student achievement across multiple subject areas. Before that, Ms. Simmons worked as a curriculum coordinator with a focus on mathematics and also brings several years of classroom teaching experience in math and science. She holds two master’s degrees from the University of West Alabama and a bachelor’s degree from Delta State University. 

Key Elementary

Kimberly Hulitt-Griggs is celebrating her 23rd year in education, with the past five years devoted to school administration, each proudly served as a member of Team JPS. Her journey in education began in 2002 at Oak Forest Elementary, where she worked as a kindergarten and second-grade instructional assistant. Since then, Ms. Griggs has held a range of impactful roles including fourth and fifth-grade ELA teacher, K–5 instructional interventionist, and assistant principal or interim principal at several JPS schools. The Jackson native is a proud graduate of Thee Jackson State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology with an emphasis in Computer Technology, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and most recently, a Specialist Degree in Educational Administration K–12. She also completed leadership training through the Mississippi Alternate Path to Quality School Leadership (MAPQSL).

Peeples Middle

With more than a decade of experience in public education, Dr. Bridney Pope has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and most recently, principal of Charleston Elementary School in the East Tallahatchie School District. Under her leadership, the school rose from an 'F' rating to a 'B' rating. She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from National University, along with multiple advanced degrees and licensure in elementary education, literacy, and administration from the University of Mississippi and Arkansas State University. 

Shirley Elementary

Elana Tate is a certified education administrator with 28 years of distinguished service in teaching and school leadership. Under her leadership, Key Elementary School, implemented transformative initiatives that prioritized academic excellence, social-emotional learning, and meaningful community engagement. Ms. Tate holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Alcorn State University, a Master of Science degree in Secondary Education, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Mississippi College.

Wells APAC

Alfie G. Clark is an accomplished educational leader with over two decades of experience in public education. She previously served as the Arts Facilitator at Casey Elementary School, where she oversees arts integration and professional learning initiatives in collaboration with the Mississippi Arts Commission. She has held several key leadership roles throughout her career, including principal of Ida Greene Elementary in the Mississippi Achievement School District, science curriculum coordinator, and coordinator of school improvement programs with the Mississippi Department of Education. Ms. Clark holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Master of Arts in Elementary Education, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership, and an Education Specialist degree in Secondary Education, all from Jackson State University. 

Wilkins Elementary

Carla Baker Thomas has served in the educational arena for 25 years. She previously served as the principal of Clausell Elementary for the past seven years and has served in various capacities in education, from instructional assistant to principal, throughout her career. Her teaching career began as a second grade Instructional Assistant prior to becoming a first-grade teacher for three years. She served as lead teacher, a position that she would hold for the next three years. Mrs. Thomas then became Literacy Coach/Interventionist of George Elementary school for seven years. After serving as assistant principal for one year, Mrs. Thomas returned to George Elementary as school principal. Mrs. Thomas holds a Specialist degree in both Elementary Education and Educational Leadership.