Education

• Bachelor of Arts Economics and Business Administration Wittenberg University
• Master of Arts Strategic Studies United States Army War College

Military Schools

• Command and Staff College
• Joint Special Operations Task Force
• Special Operations
• Amphibious Warfare
• Maritime Pre-Position Force Planning
• Airborne (Military Parachutist)
• Weapons and Tactics Instructor
• Fire Support Coordination
• Infantry Mortarman
• XO Safety Course
• Naval Security Manager
• SORTS Coordinator

Honors & Awards

• Legion of Merit w/Gold Star
• Bronze Star Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal w/3 Gold Stars
• Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/Gold Star
• Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
• Samuel B. Morse Award

Military Campaigns participated in

• Operation Iraqi Freedom 09
• Operation Contingency Operations Afghanistan
• Operation Enduring Freedom II, Iraq
• Operation Restore Hope, Somalia, Africa

Affiliations

• American Association of School Personnel Administrators
• Military Officers Association of America
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
• National Rifle Association

Experience

• Senior Marine Instructor Marine Corps Junior ROTC Oxford, High School
• Operations Officer Marine Forces Reserve
• Chief of Staff Second Marine Division
• Operations Officer Iraqi Security Forces II MEF (Fwd)
• Commanding Officer Headquarters Battalion Second Marine Division
• Branch Head, Regional Engagement Branch, Joint Special Operations Command
• Commanding Officer Inspector-Instructor Staff 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
• Commanding Officer Inspector-Instructor Staff Company D 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
• Commanding Officer Company C 3rd Light Armored Infantry Battalion
• Commanding Officer Company G Marine Combat Training Battalion
• 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander Weapons Company 3rd Battalion 7th Marines
• Rifle Platoon Commander Company L 3rd Battalion 7th Marines.

Education

• Bachelors of Science in Education, Mississippi State University
• Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, The University of Mississippi

Experience

• Teacher at Oxford High School – August 2002-May 2013
• Assistant Principal at Oxford High School – July 2013-June 2017
• Principal at Della Davidson Elementary School – July 2017-June 2021
• Chief Academic Officer – July 2021

Honors

• District Administrator of the Year – 2016
• Stanford University – Excellence in Teaching recognition (2014)
• STAR Teacher Award recipient (2012 and 2013)
• MSPA Broadcast Advisor of the Year Award (2013)
• Jack Holliday Memorial Award recipient for outstanding guidance (2012)

Experience

• Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Columbus, MS
  Executive Director (Superintendent) 2013-Present
• Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, Columbus, MS
  Director for Academic Affairs (Principal)
• The University of Mississippi, School of Education
  Assistant Dean
• The University of Mississippi, School of Education
  Co-Director, Mississippi Teacher Corps (MTC)
• The University of Mississippi, School of Education
  Director of Academic Advising
• The University of Mississippi, School of Education
  Program Manager, Mississippi Teacher Corps
• Mississippi University for Women
  Adjunct Professor
  • Courses Taught: ED 638 Leadership Through Supporting Diverse Learners (Also redesigned course)
• The University of Mississippi, School of Education
  Assistant Professor, Leadership and Counselor Education-Tenure Track
  • Courses Taught:
    • EDSE 600 Effective Teaching and Community Service
    • EDLD 721 Leadership and Management
    • EDCI 504 Teachers as Leaders (Redesigned Course for UM in 2009)
• The University of Mississippi, School of Education
  Instructor, Curriculum & Instruction
  • Courses Taught: EDCI 351 Foundations for Professional Growth in Education
• Tunica County Schools, Tunica, MS
  Mathematics Teacher, Grades 10-12

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Mississippi, K-12 Educational Leadership
• Master of Arts, The University of Mississippi, Curriculum & Instruction
• Bachelor of Science, The University of Mississippi, Electrical Engineering

Licenses

• Licenses:
  • Secondary Mathematics/Mississippi (154)
  • Administrator/Mississippi (486)
• Certificates:
  • Prospective Superintendent Leadership Academy (Mississippi School Boards Association)

Awards

• Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year
• Graduate of Leadership Lowndes County
• Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Administrator
• Forest W. Murphy Award in K-12 Leadership
• Graduate School Achievement Award

Leadership

• Board of Directors, National Consortium for Secondary STEM Schools (President-2021, Treasurer-2019, Membership Chair-2018)
• Board of Directors, Golden Triangle Tennis (President-2018-present)
• Board of Directors, Town and Tower-Columbus, MS
• Board of Directors, Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce
• Advisory Board, Golden Triangle Development LINK
• Advisory Board, Mississippi Teacher Corps
• Advisory Board, Cadence Bank
• Advisory Board, MUW Life Enrichment Program
• Advisory Board, Mississippi Association of Gifted Children
• Advisory Board, Lowndes Young Leaders
• Advisory Board, University of Mississippi High School
• Committee, Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce Education Committee

Education

• Associates Degree in Elementary Education, Coahoma Community College
• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, The University of Mississippi
• Master’s of Elementary Education, The University of Mississippi
• Specialist in Educational Leadership, Delta State University
• Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, The University of Mississippi

Experience

• Batesville Middle School, Batesville, MS, South Panola School District, Fifth Grade teacher
• Green Elementary School, Jackson, MS, Jackson Public School District
• Bolton Edwards Elementary School, Third Grade Teacher (self contained),, Hinds County School District
• 4th Grade Teacher (self-contained high-ability), May 2000-December 2000
• Batesville Middle School, South Panola School District, Self-Contained In-School Suspension Teacher
• Myrtle Hall IV Elementary School, Clarksdale Municipal Separate School District, Fourth Grade Teacher (self contained)

Administrative Roles

• Morgantown Middle School, Natchez, MS,
  Natchez-Adams School District
  Assistant Principal, 2009-2011
• Oxford Elementary School, Oxford, MS,
  Oxford School District
  Principal, 2011-2014
• Della Davidson Elementary School, Oxford, MS,
  Oxford School District
• Green Hill Elementary School, Sardis, MS,
  North Panola School District
• Oxford School District Central Office, Oxford, MS,
  MTSS/Equity/Deputy Sped Director 2019-2021
• Oxford School District Central Office, Oxford, MS,
  Chief of Student Services (MTSS, Special Services, Gifted) 2021-Present

Honors

• MDE Common Core Conference attendee and delegate
• William Winter Teacher Scholarship Recipient for University of MS
• 2013 Principal’s Primer for Literacy trained and certified
• 2012 Administrator of the Year Oxford School District
• 2015-16 MVP (presented during a board meeting) for Oxford School District (rated to district in the state)
• 2018 University of Mississippi Practitioner of Distinction for the School of Education

Education

• Mississippi Department of Education, Jackson, MS
  MASBO Academy
  School Business Administrator License
• The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
  Teach Mississippi Institute I & II
  Alternate Route to Teacher Licensure
• The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
  Master of Taxation
  Patterson School of Accountancy
• The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
  Bachelor of Accountancy, cum laude 
  Major:  Accountancy
  Minor Emphasis:  Behavioral Sciences

Work Experience

• Oxford School District, Oxford, MS
  
  • Business Manager:  January 2018 – July 2021
• Oxford High School, Oxford, MS
  
  • Math Teacher, Cheerleading Coach:  August 2013 – May 2018
  • Classes taught: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Algebra 3, AP Statistics
• North Pike Middle School, McComb, MS
  • Math Teacher:  August 2009-May 2013
• Centenary United Methodist Church, McComb, MS
  
  • Youth Director:  June 2011-July 2013
• Tylertown High School, Tylertown, MS
  
  • Math Teacher:  August 2008-May 2009
• Sellers, Richardson, Watson, Haley, & Dunn, LLP, Birmingham, AL
  
  • Senior Tax Associate: September 2006—June 2008
• PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Birmingham, AL
  
  • Tax Associate:  September 2005—September 2006

Awards and Affiliations

• 2017 National High School Cheerleading Championship – National Champions
• 2017 MHSAA Spirit Coach of the Year
• 2012 Coached team for Mississippi Financial Literacy Challenge, 4th Place in state out of 540 teams
• North Pike Middle School Principal’s Leadership Team
• Beta Alpha Psi Accountancy Honor Society
  
  • Vice President, acting as President, 2004-2005
  • Beta Alpha Psi President’s Award, 2005
  • First Place Regional Best Practices Competition – Tampa, FL
  • Second Place National Best Practices Competition – San Francisco, CA
• Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society
• Golden Key International Honor Society
• Who’s Who Among American Universities and Colleges
• Friou Scholar, Patterson School of Accountancy
• Patterson School of Accountancy Graduate Teaching Assistant for Dr. Rhodes (2004-2005)
• Bledsoe Scholar, University of Mississippi
• Davidson Scholar, University of Mississippi