JPS Announces Administrators of the Month for October
November 5, 2021
Mrs. Lori Torrey | Dr. Tantaneshia Houston | Dr. Spurgeon Banyard | Dr. Chinelo Evans |
Jackson Public Schools is honored to have four trailblazing educators as October’s Administrators of the Month. This group of distinguished leaders go above and beyond the call of duty to create nurturing environments for optimal teaching and learning. The distinguished leaders are:
Mrs. Lori Torrey, Elementary Division I, Principal of Spann Elementary
Mrs. Torrey serves a multicultural and diverse population of K-5 scholars at Spann Elementary School. She is a third-generation educator who believes in the power of education. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Jackson State University, a Master’s degree in school counseling from Jackson State University, and an Educational Specialist’s degree from Delta State University. Mrs. Torrey currently serves as a member of the Lieutenant Governor’s Administrator Advisory Council as well as the Educator Advisory Board for the Mississippi Children’s Museum. Mrs. Torrey is married to Benjamin G. Torrey, II, and has 3 children: Malik, Benjamin Grahm, and Londyn Grace.
Dr. Tantaneshia Houston, Elementary Division II, Principal of Sykes Elementary
Dr. Tantaneshia Houston joined the Jackson Public School District in 2014 following seven years of service within the Louisville Municipal School District. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Alcorn State University in Elementary Education as well as a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education. In 2005, she received her Educational Specialist from Mississippi State University. She recently earned her Doctor of Education degree from Belhaven University in Educational Leadership. Dr. Houston views a collaborative school environment as the key to creating successful teachers and students and believes partnerships with parents and community partners are essential to enriching the experience at Sykes Elementary. During her free time, she enjoys decorating, traveling, and spending time with family and her sorority sisters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Spurgeon Banyard, Principal of Peeples Middle School
Dr. Spurgeon Banyard has been an educator and administrator for over two decades. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Masters in Secondary Education from Alcorn State University. He also earned an Education Specialist in Education Administration and Supervision from Jackson State University and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education Administration and Supervision from Mississippi State University. Additionally, Dr. Banyard has completed Principal Institute training at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS; Principal Leadership Institute at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS; and most recently, McPherson and Jacobson’s Superintendent Academy in Omaha, Nebraska. In 2018-2019, Dr. Banyard completed a yearlong program with The National Institute for School Leadership. Dr. Banyard’s extensive educational experience and training has given him a unique perspective in creating a leadership style that motivates students, parents, faculty/staff, administrators, and community/business leaders. Dr. Banyard believes in doing what is best for children and in putting children first.
Dr. Chinelo Evans, Principal of JPS-Tougaloo Early College High School
Dr. Chinelo Bosah Evans is the founding principal of the JPS-Tougaloo Early College High School Program where 120 JPS scholars are working toward earning an associate degree by the completion of their senior year of high school. Dr. Evans is a proud Mississippian. She received both her bachelor's degree in English and master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Jackson State University. She also earned a specialist’s and doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Mississippi College. One of her most notable accomplishments was having served as Head Learner and Principal of Northwest Jackson International Baccalaureate World Middle School. It was under her leadership that the school was recognized as the number one ranked middle school in Mississippi from 2013 through 2015 and one of the top fifty best schools in the United States according to thebestschools.org. Dr. Evans believes that education is a priceless asset which affords individuals access to opportunities for personal and collective success. She emphatically believes that it is her duty as a professional educator to empower faculty, staff members, students, parents, and community members to take ownership of the process of educating our citizens.
Kudos to these phenomenal administrators, and we wish them continued success for the remainder of the school year!