Science/Social Studies

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

Phyllis Jenkins

Science Support Team Member

Meticulous and detailed oriented, Dedicated to family, Dog lover, Nature seeker, Addicted to antique malls and other people’s junk

“Go Confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” - Henry David Thoreau

Meet Phyllis

Gabriel McPhearson, Ed.S.

US History, Biology, Math, & Special Education Support Team Member

Versatile, Christian, Family Oriented, Outdoor Enthusiast, Cuisine Connoisseur, Information Junkie

No matter how hard it gets, stick your chest out, keep your head up and handle it. – Tupac Shakur

Meet Gabriel

Jordan Wood

Math & Science Support Team Member

Christ Follower, Boy Mom, Lover of Coffee and Carbs

”He who started a good work in you will carry it to completion." - Philippians 1:6

Meet Jordan

Laura Beth Sanders

Science Support Team Member

Team Worker, Adventurous, Loves to Journal

"Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deep from good books-especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day" - John Wooden

Meet Laura

Lien Beale

Social Studies & History Support Team Member

Avid Golfer, Life-Long Learner, History Buff

“It isn’t where you came from. It’s where you’re going that counts.” - Ella Fitzgerald

Meet Lien

Rhonda Morgan

ELA & Science Support Team Member

Enthusiastic, Life Long Learner, Proud Grandmother, Avid Reader, Beach Lover

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Meet Rhonda

Shanna L. Nesser

Science Support Team Member

Effective Communicator, Strong Critical Thinker, Indoor Cycling Enthusiast, Devoted Mama, Loves to Binge Watch Twilight Series

“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 Shanna

Audra Raybon

Social Studies Support Team Member

Christian, History Lover, Family Devoted, Adventurous, Dog Lover

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” - Nelson Mandela

Meet Audra

Candace Williams

Science & Technology Support Team Member

Enthusiastic Planner, Boy Mom, Board Game Fanatic

“There is no joy in life like the joy of sharing.” - Billy Graham

Meet Candace

Teresa Banks, ED.D

Math & Science Support Team Member

Christ-Centered, Team Player, Dedicated Mom, Lover of HGTV, traveling, and vegetarian dishes

"It is fundamental that our children are prepared to compete with confidence in the international arena. We need to ensure that all our children have access to a world-class, quality education." - Nelson Mandela

Meet Teresa

Mary Gregg

ELA & Science Support Team Member

Dedicated Motivator, Excessive Organizer, Family Focused, Beachgoer, Audiobook Fanatic

"One who dares to teach must never cease to learn." - John Cotton Dana

Meet Mary

Nicole Shows

Science Support Team Member

Enthusiastic, Energetic, Devoted follower of Christ, Competitive, lover of all things MSU

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin

Meet Nicole

Jessica Flynt

ELA, Math, Social Studies, ACT, & WorkKeys Support Team Member

Driven, problem-solver, Jesus follower, wife/mom, addicted to black coffee, & terrified of heights

"Nine-tenths of education is encouragement." - Anatole France

Meet Jessica

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

Isaac Morris

Science Support Team Member

Analytical, Multifaceted, #1 Dad, Elite Gamer

“Keep small problems small.”

Meet Isaac

Erica McKenzie

Science Support Team Member

Purpose-driven, Organized, Jesus-lover, Mom, Dance Fanatic

"Let all that you do be done in LOVE!" - 1 Corinthians 16:14

Meet Erica

Devyn Quinn

Science Support Team Member

Passionately Innovative, Family Oriented, Disney and Sports Obsessed, Sucker for SciFi

“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection” - Mark Twain

Meet Devyn

Angel Young

Science Support Team Member

Ardent Helper, Grateful Servant, Nature Enthusiast

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” - Mother Theresa

Meet Angel

Terrie Brasher

Science Support Team Leader

Dedicated teacher and friend, Nature-loving traveler, Braves baseball fan

"When you do the right thing, you get the feeling of peace and serenity associated with it. Do it again and again." - Roy T. Bennet

Meet Terrie

Shelia Cagle

Science Support Team Member

Extremely Curious, Strategic Thinker, Adventurer, True Crime Aficionado

"If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours." - Dolly Parton

Meet Shelia

Kristy Johnson, Ed.S

Science and Social Studies Support Team Member

Attentive, Reliable, New Orleans Saints fan, Lover of authentic style and fashion

“Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.” - Mark Twain

Meet Kristy

Maggie Walters

Science Support Team Member

Data driven and detailed oriented educator, Devoted wife and mother, lover of all animals, Owner of a small farm, succulent obsessed

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value” - Albert Einstein

Meet Maggie

Angela McKinnon

Science Support Team Member

Collaborator, Team Player, Christ Follower, Prayer Warrior, Dog Mom, Avid Reader

"One child, one teacher, one pen can change the world." - Malala Yousafzai

Meet Angela

Marché Harris

Science Support Team Member

Strategic Thinker, Detail-Oriented, Lifelong Learner, Dedicated Mother, Shark Tank Fanatic, Nature Lover

”The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” - Mark Twain

Meet Marché

Mary Elizabeth Bullock

Science, ELA, US History, & SPED Support Team Member

Passionate student advocate, avid reader, family-oriented, traveler, dog mom

"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." - Aristotle

Meet Mary Elizabeth

Susanne Trollinger

History & SPED Support Team Member

Enthusiastic teacher, positive reinforcer, dedicated to family, obsessed with Hallmark movies and TikTok

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Meet Susanne

Dan Klages

Science Support Team Member

Driven by Conscientiousness, New Grandfather, Inshore Fishing Fanatic

“Remember this your lifetime through, Tomorrow there will be more to do, And failure waits for those who stay, With some success made yesterday. So tomorrow we must go and work some more And even harder than before!” - Coach John Wooden

Meet Dan

April Graves

Science Support Team Member

Kid minded, strategic thinker, world traveler, ghost show fanatic

"There's no one I'd rather be than me."

Meet April

Sharon Benefield, Ed.S

ELA, Science, & Social Studies Support Team Member

Devoted Educator, Organized, Avid Decorator and Gardener, Dedicated Mother, Lover of the Outdoors, Yard Sale Junkie, Christmas Fanatic

"I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things." - Mother Teresa

Meet Sharon

Sharon Benefield, Ed.S

ELA, Science, & Social Studies Support Team Member

Devoted Educator, Organized, Avid Decorator and Gardener, Dedicated Mother, Lover of the Outdoors, Yard Sale Junkie, Christmas Fanatic

"I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things." - Mother Teresa

Meet Sharon

Evelyn N. Williams

ELA & U.S. History Support Team Member

Obsessively organized, Mother of 4 (oldest is 25, youngest is 3), I love to crotchet and to teach interpretive dance.

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.” - Booker T. Washington

Meet Evelyn

Jenna Montgomery

Social Studies Support Team Member

Joyful planner, creative thinker, grandiose Dreamer, performing artist, loves Teatime and British Historical Dramas

“The future belongs to those that believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Meet Jenna

Natalie Pilcher Bomann

ELA, Math, & Science Support Team Member

Creative Thinker, Knowledge Seeker, Traveler, Proud Mother, Book Collector

"Children don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." - John Maxwell

Meet Natalie

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

Wanda Madison Minor, Ph.D.

Data Support Team Member

Self-Reflective & Analytical; Mother, Spouse, Sister, & Grandmom: Lover of People, Dancing, & Nature

“If you give a person a fish, she/he will eat for a day. If you teach a person how to fish, she/he will eat for a lifetime. My goal has always been to focus on teaching the “how to”, so that one will use one’s knowledge, skills, and abilities for a lifetime.”

Meet Wanda

Lanaeya Woodard

ELA & Social Studies Support Team Member

Passionate Educator, Team Player, Devoted Wife and Mother, Prayer Warrior, Motivational Speaker, Lover of fashion, makeup, and interior design

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Meet Lanaeya

Aubry Mohead

ELA, Math, & Science Support Team Member

Loves reading a good book at the beach, Adores family time, Watching Bravo is my guilty pleasure!

“When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.”

Meet Aubry

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

Penny Zito

Special Education, Social Studies, & MTSS 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

Britany Smith

US History Support Team Member

Enthusiastic, Mother to a beautiful daughter, Lover of Puzzles, People, and Positivity!

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Meet Brittany

Sandra Gillespie

Math & Science Support Team Member

Motivator, Problem-Solver, Family-Oriented, Jesus-Lover, Humorous, Helper!

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach" - Romans 12:6

Meet Sandra

Teresa D. Sherrill

Science & Math Support Team Member

Devoted, Animal loving, music listening, family oriented Christian, coffee addict

“Education is not preparation for life; education is Life itself.” - John Dewey

Meet Teresa

Danielle Yarbrough

ELA & History Support Team Member

Passionate educator, Student advocate, Born again Christian, Wife, Mom of three, Cruise Junkie, and Die-hard Mississippi State Bulldog Fan

“There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.” - Ronald Reagan

Meet Danielle

Dr. La Shannon Hollinger

ELA, Math, & Science Support Team Member

Passionately driven, Pretty chill, Bunny Mum

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better!” - Maya Angelou

Meet Dr. La Shannon

Sharon A Montgomery

ELA, Math & Science Support Team Member

Hard worker, Dedicated Grandmother, Serious Recycler

“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct thy paths.” - Proverbs 3:6

Meet Sharon

Alyxandra Camille Price

ELA & History Support Team Member

A stickler for deadlines, Vegan, Reader, Sand collector

"Just because you don't see a way doesn't mean God doesn't have a way."

Meet Alyxandra

Judy Tindal, M. Ed

ELA, Science, Gifted, & Social Studies Support Team Member

Fun-loving Relationship Builder, Enthusiastic Leader, Devoted Mom & Gran, Appreciator of Nature, Lover of Travel, Pets, Games, and Sugar!

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” - William Arthur Ward

Meet Judy

Briana Shelton

Science Support Team Member

Passionate, Innovative, Open-minded & Mother of 2

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” - Frederick Douglass

Meet Briana

Mrs. Debbie Roberts, M.Ed.

ELA, Math, & Science Support Team Member

Encouraging Collaborative Partner, Animal Lover, Dance is my therapy

"God gives his best to those who leave the choice to Him." - Morgan Freeman, cowboy and my grandfather

Meet Debbie

Gabby Mohler

Science Support Team Member

Competitive, Driven, Holistic Approach to Teaching, Christian, Mother, Wife, Travel Junkie, Audiobook and Podcast Obsessed

"You always want your people to be proud of what you have accomplished." - Dolly Parton

Meet Gabby

Kay Bigham

Math & Science Support Team Member

Punctual, Family Focused, Avid Traveler, Enthusiastic “Wanna” be Chef, Auburn Fan

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breaths away” - Maya Angelou

Meet Kay

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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.