Leadership

Leadership

Jamie Loper
Head Coach & Science Support Team Leader/Distance Learning Specialist

People Pleaser, Sweet Tooth, Avid Traveler

"I love getting to share my passion for learning and help improve the lives of teachers, students and schools."
Meet Jamie
Vicki Davis
Leadership Support Team Member

Tenacious, encourager, nature nerd, songbird, lover of people, fun, and  Jesus

“Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold out for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.“ - George Bernard Shaw
Meet Vicki
Ann Moore
Leadership Support Team Member

Dedicated and Accountable, Dog lover, Music fan, Fanatic of International Soccer and Horror Films

“The success of all children is dependent upon the quality of both general and special education and how well schools integrate services ...” National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE)
Meet Ann
Cheryl Capps
Leadership Support Team Member

Caring, Helpful, Encouraging, Reliable, Young-at-heart, Loyal; Loves the Lord, Family, Friends, & Rolling with the TIDE!

“Act as if what you do makes a difference, IT DOES.” – William James
Meet Cheryl
Jan Bailey
Leadership Support Team Member

Super Planner, Believes in Rigor, Enjoys Hosting, is a Trustworthy Friend, and a Lover of all water Activities

“It’s not so much what we have in this life that matters, it’s what we do with what we have.” Fred Rogers
Meet Jan
Dr. JoNetta Terry
Leadership Support Team Member

Transformational Leader, Life-long Learner, Analytical Thinker, Mother of 2, Wife, and Lover of Life and Music

“You are powerful. Stand up in your power! Embrace your power! Serve the world by bringing your power into your life.” - Iyanla Vanzant
Meet JoNetta
Mary Ruth Wright
Leadership & Special Education Support Team Member

Honest Advocate for ALL students, Family Oriented, MSU loving dog and horse fanatic

“I not only impact my students today, but I am an impact on their children’s children.” --unknown
Meet Mary Ruth
Stephanie Gilder
Leadership & ELA Support Team Member

Organization Enthusiast, Lover of Interior Design, Positively Positive

"Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children”. - Walt Disney
Meet Stephanie
Jenny Seals
Leadership Support Team Member

Passionate Team Builder, Loyal Listener, Dog Lover

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” - John Maxwell
Meet Jenny
Charlotte A. Smith
Leadership Support Team Member

Visionary Leader, Student-Focused, Lover of Chocolate, Walking Jukebox

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13
Meet Charlotte
Kacy Pierce
Leadership Support Team Member

Life-long learner, Avid Reader, RV Traveler, Family Obsessed

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” - Nelson Mandela
Meet Kacy
Kristen Crawford, Ed.S.
Special Education & Leadership Support Team Member

Joy Seeker, Creative, Consistently Punctual, Lover of Family and all things Coastal

“Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is be asked to dance. Equality is being on the planning committee.”
Meet Kristen
Penny Zito
Leadership & Special Education Support Team Member/Leadership Support Team Member

Planner, Researcher, Dedicated List Maker, Grandmother of 5, Doxie Mama, & Genealogy Fanatic

”Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
Meet Penny
Ken Byars
Leadership Support Team Leader/Head Coach

Hard Working Human, Servant Leader, Quiet Sports Junkie

“The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Work is the key to success, and hard work can help you accomplish anything.” -Vince Lombardi
Meet Ken
Karen Hammond
Leadership, ELA, & Math Support Team Member

Extremely Organized, Nature-Lover, Science Fiction Movie Buff

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6
Meet Karen
Jeff Gilder
Leadership, Sales, & History Support Team Member

Highly Motivated, Data-Driven, Avid Hunter and Golfer, Follower of Christ & Lover of Family, Potato Chip Connoisseur

"I try to be a better version of myself each and every day." - Anonymous
Meet Jeff
Shannon Eubanks
Math, Science, & Leadership Support Team Member

Dedicated educator, Perpetual reader, Lover of games and puzzles

"Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end." - John Lennon
Meet Shannon
Shondra Whitaker
Head Coach, ELA & Leadership Support Team Member

Creative collaborator, obsessive organizer, faithful Jesus follower, family-oriented, barre enthusiast, true crime junkie

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
Meet Shondra
Sharon Gaines
Leadership Support Team Member

Encouraging, talkative, passionate about student learning, lover of God, family, and the beach

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” - John Quincy Adams
Meet Sharon
Tim Carter
Leadership, School Safety, & Social Studies Support Team Member

Passionate about helping others, Gardener, Father to three and Grandfather to six

“CULTURE IS DYNAMIC NOT STATIC. Every Person on your Team and in your organization creates your culture every day by what they think, say and do. You ELEVATE it by what you think. You IMPROVE it by what you say, and you MAKE IT GREAT by what you do.” - Jon Gordon
Meet Tim
Denise Woods
Leadership Support Team Member

Versatile Leader, Travel Addict, Goat Momma

"A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be." - Rosalynn Carter
Meet Denise
Bobby Taylor
Leadership Support Team Member

Relationship Builder, Advocate for Children, Christ Centered, Family Oriented, Sports Fanatic

“Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” - Psalm 37:4
Meet Bobby
Laurie Pitre
Leadership Support Team Member

A passionate and dedicated lifelong learner and Barre fitness enthusiast

"There is a fountain of youth: It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love." - Sophia Loren
Meet Laurie
Beth Long
Leadership Support Team Member

Encouraging leader; Blessed wife, mother, and Gigi; Basket weaver and lover of the beach

“Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s incredible what they can accomplish.” - Sam Walton
Meet Beth
Wanda Thrasher
Leadership Support Team Member

Enthusiastic learner, team player, Beach lover, Family oriented, Netflix binge watcher, Avid reader

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” - Albert Einstein
Meet Wanda
Van A. Phillips, Sr.
Leadership Support Team Member

Believer in the common good of all people; Growth mindset; Love preaching and playing golf

“It is always right to do right.” - Johnnie and Juanita Phillips
Meet Van
Jacqueline Kelley
Math & Leadership Support Team Member

Motivator, Analytical thinker, Easygoing, Family-centered, Ice cream lover & kayak enthusiast!

"There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man: true nobility is being superior to your former self." - Ernest Hemingway
Meet Jacqueline
Donald A. Turner, Jr.
Leadership Support Team Member

Uplifting, Encouraging, Lover of Music, Exhibitor of Walking Horses

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or work hours. It’s about relationships.” - Jen Kouzes
Meet Donald
Stacey Turvin
Leadership Support Team Member

Relationship Developer, Family First, Lover of Golf, DIY Enthusiast

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin
Meet Stacey
Alfreda Hoskins, Ed.S.
Leadership, ELA, SPED, & Federal Programs Support Team Member

Optimistic, Detail Oriented, Avid Traveler, Family Focused, Addicted to Thrift Stores

"Success isn't about how much money you make, it's about the difference you make in people's lives." - Michelle Obama
Meet Alfreda
Lisa Love
Leadership Support Team Member

Passionate Motivator, Servant’s Heart Executor, Avid Collector of Shoes, Books, and Netflix Hours

“To leave the world a bit better…to know that even one life has breathed easier because you lived-that is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Meet Lisa
Becky Faulkner
ELA & Leadership Support Team Member

Team player, Servant leader, Loving Grandmother, Loyal friend

"It is amazing what you can accomplish when you don't care who gets the credit." - Harry Truman
Meet Becky
Dr. Rachael McDaniel
ELA & Leadership Support Team Member

Passionate, Innovative, Adventurous, Cool Nerd

"There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." - Nelson Mandela
Meet Dr. Rachael
James Patterson
Leadership Support Team Member

Task oriented, Lover of high school sports, Sports card collector

“You cannot teach what you do not know. You cannot lead where you will not go.”
Meet James
Brian Jernigan
Leadership Support Team Member

Perseverant and Service-minded, Lover of God and Family, Certified Law Enforcement Officer

“What is now proved was once only imagined” - William Blake
Meet Brian
Dr. Gayle Gober
Leadership Support Team Member

Insightful educator

Enthusiastic traveler

Reality show junkie

“You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been.” - Maya Angelou
Meet Dr. Gayle
Lenora Patterson
Leadership & Math Support Team Member

Curious and reflective leader, Proud mom, Avid reader

“If your dreams don’t scare you, they are too small.” - Richard Branson
Meet Lenora
Donny Bynum
Leadership Support Team Member

Passionate about making a positive difference!
Christ centered, thankful, family, jogger!
Love to get up early and start the day!

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28
Meet Donny
Jeff Malone
Leadership Support Team Member

Collaborator, Problem Solver, Family-Focused, Traveler, Mountain bike rider

“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” ― Ronald Reagan
Meet Jeff
Dr. Angela Lang
Leadership Support Team Member

Detailed oriented, Attentive listener, Football obsessed, Boy Mom X4 but we live to spoil our granddaughter!

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
Meet Dr. Angela
John C. Johnson
ELA & Leadership Support Team Member

Relationship Builder, Critical Thinker, Proud father, Lover of Music, Horror Movie Fan, Coffee Enthusiast, Baseball junkie

"The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why." - Mark Twain
Meet John
Dr. Anjell H. Edwards
ELA & Leadership Support Team Member

Enthusiastic collaborator, passionate leader, experimental cook, devoted mom, Netflix junkie

"So what do you do with a chance? You take it, because it just might be the start of something incredible!" - Kobi Yamada
Meet Dr. Anjell
Danelle Peterman
Leadership and SPED Support Team Member

Optimistic, organized, enthusiastic, A believer of excellence; Fitness enthusiast, dedicated wife and mother; follower of Christ; Lover of all music and dancing

"Empower yourselves with a good education, then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise." - Michelle Obama
Meet Danelle
Kelvin James
Leadership Support Team Member

Insightful and pragmatic problem-solver, Obsessive yard-man, Alabama football fanatic and season ticket holder

“As disciples of Jesus, we are called to love how He loved; to be willing to cross whatever socioeconomic, religious, and cultural lines necessary to bring people into the Kingdom we are a part of.”
Meet Kelvin
Karen DeLano
Leadership Support Team Member

Eternally a teacher, Travel junkie without enough funds, Love swimming with manta rays

“Sugar is only sweet in coffee if you stir it up.”
Meet Karen
James McLeod
Science & Leadership Support Team Member

Data Driven, Student Centered, Father & Husband, Avid Reader, Lover of salty snacks

“Teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning” - unknown
Meet James
Carol Davis Smith
Leadership Team Lead & Head Coach

Intentional, purposeful educator, Faith, family, friends, Love traditions, mysteries, and MSU Bulldogs

“Remember Who you belong to…”
Meet Carol
Shayne Wasden
Social Sciences & Leadership Support Team Member

Meticulously Organized, Girl Dad, Beach Lover

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill
Meet Shayne
Barbara Hodge
Leadership Support Team Member

Goal-oriented, Avid reader, Beach lover

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” - Anne Frank
Meet Barbara
Dr. Wendolyn Bouie
Leadership Support Team Member

Very Reliable, Dog-Lover, Kickboxing Champ

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure, it is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.” - Nelson Mandela
Meet Dr. Wendolyn
Cindy Tesreau
ELA, Math, & Leadership Support Team Member

Christ Focused, Lifelong Learner, Motivator and Effective Communicator, Quilt-Maker, and Tennessee River Lover!

“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” - Mister Rogers
Meet Cindy
Kevin P. TesreauMcCarthy
ELA, Math, & Leadership Support Team Member

Keep first things first…the Kids!, Family Man, World Championship BBQ Cooking Team Captain

“Seek first to understand then to be understood” - Steven Covey
Meet Kevin
Tisha Durrah
Leadership Support Team Member

Results-driven, extremely loyal, Elvis fan

“Our stories may be singular, but our destination is shared.” - Barack Obama, 2008
Meet Tisha
Jerry Williams
Leadership Support Team Member

Goal Oriented, Family Focused, Sports Junkie

“Leadership is the ability to guide others without force into a direction or decision that leaves them still feeling empowered and accomplished.” - Lisa Cash Hanson
Meet Jerry

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PO Box 6512
Laurel, MS 39441

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About Kids First

KIDS 1st Education LLC was founded out of a sincere desire to improve teaching and learning by placing KIDS First. Our coaches and specialists have successfully teamed and worked together for more than a decade, passionate and committed to making a difference for KIDS.