September 26, 2022
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John Johnson |
Guyneisha Johnson | Paula Epps | Dr. Shemeka Sutton-McClung |
Congratulations to September's principals of the month. These 4 leaders have gone above and beyond to provide an excellent educational experience for our scholars while creating safe and inclusive spaces for their scholars and staff. We appreciate their service to the JPS community, especially their commitment to our schools. Our September principals of the month are:
Elementary Division I
John Johnson, Obama Magnet Elementary
Mr. Johnson is the principal of Obama Magnet Elementary school. He is described as a student-focused instructional leader dedicated to creating positive learning environments and making a positive difference in scholars' lives. He previously served as an assistant principal at Marshall Elementary in Jackson Public Schools. For more than a decade, he worked as a building administrator serving public school systems in central Mississippi, including the Canton Public School District, Scott County School District, and Vicksburg-Warren School District. He started his career as a 6th-grade English teacher at Bettye Mae Jack Middle School in Morton, Mississippi. Mr. Johnson has adapted his leadership and administrative abilities to a range of roles throughout his 20-year educational career. He has assumed responsibility for everything from directing athletics programs to creating and promoting a schoolwide vision as an elementary school principal. He has experience coordinating safety programs, textbook adoptions, and professional development training, and working with parents as a representative of several schools' parent-teacher organizations.
Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Tougaloo College, a Master of Arts degree in educational administration and supervision from Jackson State University, and an education specialist degree in instructional leadership from William Carey University.
Elementary Division II
Guyneisha Johnson, Johnson Elementary
Ms. Guyneisha Johnson has been the principal of Johnson Elementary since July 2019. She has led Johnson Elementary School from an underperforming school to a successful school. She previously served as an assistant principal at Quitman County Elementary in the Quitman County School District. She began her career in 2008 as a 3rd-grade teacher at James C. Rosser Elementary School in Moorehead, Mississippi. As she moved up from math coach to assistant principal, she gained experience implementing the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Program for Quitman County Elementary. Over the course of her career, she has elevated the profession through her involvement in Teach for America.
Ms. Johnson has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and African American studies from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, a Master of Arts in organizational leadership from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York, and a Specialist in education for curriculum and instruction from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
Middle School Division
Paula Epps, Whitten Middle
Paula Epps is the head administrator for Whitten Middle School. She has served in the field of public education for over fifteen years. In 2002, she began her teaching career as a middle school math teacher in Jackson Public Schools. For seven years, she served the students at Hinds County School District as a Teacher Support Team Coordinator and Assistant Principal. In 2016, she returned to the Jackson Public School District and served as Assistant Principal at Cardozo Middle School. Currently, she serves as Principal at Whitten Preparatory Middle School.
Ms. Epps received her formal educational training at Jackson Public Schools. She completed undergraduate studies at Jackson State University and later obtained master's and specialist’s degrees from Belhaven University and Mississippi College, respectively. Presently, she is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at Mississippi College.
High School Division
Dr. Shemeka Sutton-McClung, Callaway High
Dr. Shemeka Sutton-McClung is the academic leader of Callaway High School. She most recently worked for Pearson Virtual Schools, where she led a team of analysts devoted to providing services in both academic and socialization areas for student academic growth and personal development. Prior to joining the Pearson family, she served as the director of institutional research, planning, and assessment at Jackson State University. While at JSU, she served in various leadership roles and capacities, including university accreditation and strategic planning. Her previous tenure in the District includes serving as director of student support, principal and assistant principal of Lanier High School, and classroom teacher at Callaway, Lanier, and Wingfield High Schools. As a district and school leader, she led various projects and initiatives, including administration and supervision of personnel, curriculum and instruction, professional development, school finance, student development, and testing and assessment. As a special note, her career began in the Jackson Public School District, where she taught various science subjects, including biology, botany, chemistry, genetics, human anatomy & physiology, and physics, just to name a few. Dr. McClung's specialties lie in the areas of data analysis, instructional leadership, professional development, school management, and student growth.
Dr. McClung holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Jackson State University. She completed her Master of Science in teaching, Specialist in educational leadership & supervision, and Doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership & supervision degrees at Jackson State University.
Congratulations and keep up the excellent work!
