Administrator of the Year
Key Elementary Principal Dionne Woody was named the 2016 Jackson Public Schools Administrator of the Year. Superintendent Dr. Cedrick Gray and District administrators surprised Woody on the morning of Monday, February 15, 2016, in a school-wide assembly, attended by her coworkers, fellow principals, church members, parents, school adopters, triplet sister, family and friends.
Principal Woody says she's successful because of her leader, Superintendent Dr. Cedrick Gray.
"It is evident that Ms. Woody has a love for her scholars and this community and they love her," said Dr. Gray. "Mrs. Woody’s leadership and laser light focus on academic achievement is phenomenal. She is the epitome of leadership in our District."
"Working with children is part of my daily life," said Principal Woody. "Children are a gift! It makes me feel proud knowing I have reached a child. I am a strong advocate for children being treated fairly, academically and socially. Also, I believe in the old African Proverb: It Takes a Village to Raise a Child."
Principal Dionne Woody joined the school just four years ago from Bradley Elementary School, and in that time, improved the state rating for the school. They went from a D to a B. Now they are working on that A.
"Don’t let where your school is or the environment affect the student’s growth," said Woody. "It does not matter where the building actually is, it is what’s going on in the inside that matters."
Woody received both bachelor's and master's degrees in education at Jackson State University. She is an active member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church and the Madison County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where she is involved with numerous community service projects and partnerships. She will serve as JPS Administrator of the Year throughout next school year. She will also represent the District in the Mississippi Administrator of the Year recognition program.