OUR TEAM

Meet Our Team

KIDS 1st Education LLC was founded by career educators, Chuck Poer and Cellie Scoggin, for the purpose of working with K-12 schools to improve outcomes for KIDS. Chuck and Cellie have worked together for more than a decade, leading teams of educators to make a positive impact for KIDS. They are joined by an experienced team of educational coaches and specialists with a heart for KIDS and a passion for teaching and learning. 

Kids First Leadership

Chuck Poer, M.Ed.
Co-Founder

Original, Caring, Creative, Expressive and Flexible

"Names have power! Names tell a story!! Our name, Kids First, has power, because it speaks to our purpose… Our heart… Kids First comes with our stories, our experiences, and our history of improving learning and outcomes for kids!"
Meet Chuck
Cellie Scoggin, M.Ed.
Co-Founder

Christ Follower, Family Focused, Purposefully Driven, Motivated to Empower Others

“What we know matters, but who we are matters more” -Brene Brown
Meet Cellie
Jennifer Weeks, Ed.S.
VP of Educational Services

Growing, Grateful, Goal-oriented

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
Meet Jennifer
Kristie Ezzell
VP of Sales & Marketing

Passionate about Education and Kids, Multitasker, Boy Momma, Family Oriented, HGTV Junkie

"Morning is God's way of saying one more time - Go make a difference, touch a heart, encourage a mind, inspire a soul and enjoy the day."
Meet Kristie
Shawnese Herrington, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Educational Services, MS Division

Ambitious, Passionate Educator, Family-Oriented, Beach Bum, Lover of Shoes and Handbags

“The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them.” - Michelle Obama
Meet Shawnese
Reeda Betts, M.Ed.
Executive Director of Educational Services, AL Division

Problem Solver, Word Nerd, Distance Runner, Reader, Seinfeld Fanatic

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Meet Reeda
Marvin Lishman, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Educational Services, Private Schools

Focused, Life-Long Learner, Pop to AW and Gaines, MSU Bulldog Fan, Lover of High School Sports

“To whom much is given, even much more is required.” - Luke 12:48
Meet Marvin
Patrick Scoggin, M.Ed.
Executive Director of Operations

Christian, Husband, Father, Runner, Outdoorsman

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." -African proverb.
Meet Patrick
Regina Ginn, M.Ed.
Executive Director of Kids First Scholarship Foundation

Live... Laugh... Love

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi
Meet Regina
Sue Anne Boatman
Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, MS Division

Spreader of Kindness, Motivational Networker, Christ-Centered, Family-Focused, Fashionista!

"Bring love wherever you go. Shine light wherever it's dark. Leave blessings wherever you've been. Be kind wherever you are." - Mary Davis
Meet Sue Anne

Support Services

Erin Scoggin, M.Ed.
Digital Media Manager

Christ-Centered, Tenacious, Family-Focused, Devoted Wife and Mother

“All limitations are self-imposed.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes
Meet Erin
Randi Fortenberry
Accounting Manager

Ambitious Dreamer, Motivational Leader, Lover of God, Family, and Travel

"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Meet Randi
Penny McNeer Broom
Human Resources Manager

Extremely organized, Self-motivated, Christian, Creative, Foodie!

"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." - Maya Angelou
Meet Penny
Cory Sanders
Accounting & Support Services Associate

Detail oriented, Family focused, Baseball/dirt bike dad, camper, boater

Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” —Theodore Roosevelt
Meet Cory

Head Coaches & Content Leads

Charlotte Cornish
Head Coach

Determinedly Dedicated, Encouragingly Optimistic, Enjoys Exciting Excursions with Grands

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire" -W.N. Yeats
Meet Charlotte
Katy Boyd, Ed.S.
SEL Team Leader & Project Coordinator

Math minded motivator, fitness instructor, mother of boys, sunshine seeking bird lover

"The most significant of changes are those that are made within."
Meet Katy
Kayla Calcote, M.Ed.
Math Team Leader & Project Coordinator

Thoroughly Meticulous, Family Obsessed, Sudoku Puzzler

“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” -Albert Einstein
Meet Kayla
Nicole Cooley, MS
Research, Development, Publication Manager & ELA Team Leader

Avid Reader, Deep-Sea Fisher, Visual Learner

“In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.” -Mortimer J. Adler
Meet Nicole
Rachel Wooten, M.Ed., LDT
Dyslexia & MTSS Leader, & RTI Rails Team Leader

Organization wizard, reader of westerns, writer of all the feels, ice cream connoisseur, goat and chicken mama

"Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Meet Rachel
Stephanie Brewer, Ed.S.
ACT Math Team Leader & Project Coordinator

Energetic, Fiercely Positive, People Lover

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." -Abraham Lincoln
Meet Stephanie
Kristie Ezzell
Head Coach

Passionate about Education and Kids, Multitasker, Boy Momma, Family Oriented, HGTV Junkie

"Morning is God’s way of saying one more time - Go make a difference, touch a heart, encourage a mind, inspire a soul and enjoy the day."
Meet Kristie
Phyllis Hicks
Math Content Team Leader

Avid Competitor, Passionate Educator, Nerdy athlete, Completely devoted to faith and family

"One person in pursuit of excellence raises the standards of everyone around them. And, as they strive for greatness, they bring out the greatness in others. Be that one person today." - Jon Gordon
Meet Phyllis
Cindy Klages
Head Coach

Christian, lifelong learner, research nerd, wife and mom, lover of chocolate and coffee, beach goer

“Believing in people before they have proven themselves is the key to motivating people to reach their potential.” - John Maxwell
Meet Cindy
Reeda Betts, M.Ed.
Head Coach
Data-Driven Education Problem Solver, Family Focused, Lifelong Learner
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Meet Reeda
Casey Wilberding, M.Ed.
Early Learning Leader & Project Coordinator

Wife, Mother, Beach Lover, Shopper, Christmas Obsessed, Seminole Fan, Loves to Help People Grow

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney
Meet Casey
Michele Parker
Head Coach, ELA Content Lead & Project Coordinator

Resilient and intentional, traveler, family-focused

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." - C.S. Lewis
Meet Michele
LaQuanta Nelson
Leadership Coach & Project Coordinator

Critical thinker, effective communicator, accomplished musician, adrenaline junkie, fierce foodie

"The sun doesn’t ask for permission to shine, neither should you!"
Meet LaQuanta
Jessica Flynt
HQIM Resources Software Manager

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

"Nine-tenths of education is encouragement." - Anatole France
Meet Jessica
Michele Lee
English Learner Team Leader/Head Coach

well organized, Hodophile, HSN junkie

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
Meet Michele
Shanna L. Nesser
Project Coordinator & Science Support Team

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
Karen Carr
Head Coach

Enthusiastic motivator, hopeful encourager, grower of vegetables, quilt-maker, lover of all things Auburn Tigers!

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to a man in his language, that goes to his heart." - Nelson Mandela
Meet Karen
Shannon Uptain
Head Coach

Resourceful, Analytical, Traveler, Life-long learner, Converted lover of Broadway musicals

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” — Colin Powell
Meet Shannon
Natalie Breithaupt
ELA Coach & Project Coordinator

Enthusiastic Collaborator, Dedicated Aunt, Random Fact Fanatic

“Not having the best situation but seeing the best in your situation is the key to happiness.” - Marie Forleo
Meet Natalie
Donna Harper
Head Coach, ELA Team Lead, & Science Support Team Member

Organized, Punctual, Avid Reader, World Traveler, Grandmother, Lover of all things Purple!

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” - Margaret Mead
Meet Donna
Lynn Faulk
Head Coach & Science Support Team Member

Dedicated, Goal-Oriented, Nature-Lover, Nostalgic Videographer

"It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." - Edmund Hillary
Meet Lynn
Madelyn F. Harris
Psychometrist, Special Education Consultant & Specialist

Strategic problem-solver, Activator, Offbeat creative, Will travel for live music

“The plan is to fan this spark into a flame.” - Alexander Hamilton
Meet Madelyn
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
Cynthia Marquez Gabbert
Head Coach, ELA & Leadership Support Team Member

Goal oriented, creative problem solver, compassionate educator; Avid traveler, soccer aficionado, devoted wife and mother of two; Food and coffee lover, HGTV junkie, and music enthusiast

"Be yourself- not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be." - Henry David Thoreau
Meet Cynthia
Mary Ruth Wright
Special Education Team Lead

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
Corey Kelly
Leadership Coach and Sales, TN Division

Consistent, Compassionate, Courageous, Kelly-Clan Centered, Dallas Cowboys Fan

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill
Meet Corey
Ebonee Brown, Ph.D.
ELA Coach & Head Coach

Passionate educator, Christ follower, family-oriented, fashion fanatic, movie lover, seafood lover, boy mom 

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill
Meet Ebonee
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
Gidget Mansell
Instructional Coach & Head Coach

Data Driven, Forgiven, Family Vacation Coordinator

"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X
Meet Gidget
Kat Bir
Head Coach

Spreadsheet obsessed, Christian, Wife and Mom, Avid shopper

“Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
Meet Kat
Andrew Whitley
Head Coach

Recovering Perfectionist, Book Worm, Mustache Owner

"I've gained a lot more compassion and patience for people since I realized that everyone is pretty much insane, myself included." - David Zahl
Meet Andrew
Aaron Hightower
Head Coach

Personable, Motivator, Believer in Servanthood, Very Family Oriented, Avid Pickleball Player

"Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others." - Danny Thomas
Meet Aaron
Katie McDonald
Head Coach

Empowering others, Motivational leader, Christ follower, Girl mom, Avid Bulldog fan!

"It's a Grand and Glorious Day!"
Meet Katie
Shemeka Ware
Head Coach

Consummate Problem-solver, Kingdom Focused, Performing Arts lover

“You are strong when you know your weaknesses. You are beautiful when you appreciate your flaws. You are wise when you learn from your mistakes.” - Author Unknown
Meet Shemeka
Mark Head, Ed.D
Head Coach

Fiercely Dedicated, Family first; extremely loyal; Pop Culture Expert, Obsessive Prince fan

"Whatever we accomplish belongs to our entire group, a tribute to our combined effort." - Walt Disney
Meet Mark
Tobie Pillstrom
Head Coach

Optimistic, Baseball mom, Jeopardy fanatic

“In order to empathize with someone’s experience you must be willing to believe them as they see it, and not how you imagine their experience to be.” - Brene’ Brown
Meet Tobie
LeDonnis P. Norwood, Ed.D
ELA Coach & Head Coach

Reflective leader, versatile, family-oriented, lover of God, Dallas Cowboys fanatic

"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill
Meet LeDonnis
Cassandra Williams, M.Ed.
RFP & Proposals Manager, & Head Coach

Organized, Analytical Multi-Tasker who Loves Shoes and Watching Westerns

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." - Maya Angelou
Meet Cassandra
Stephanie Allen, Ed.S
Science Coach & Head Coach

Ambitious, Analytical thinker, World traveler, Dedicated mother, Lover of murder mystery shows

"A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey that she will become strong."
Meet Stephanie

Content Area Specialists

Select a content area below to learn more about our team members in each specialty.

English Language Arts Mathematics Science/Social Studies ACT
Early Learning Dyslexia Social Emotional Learning MTSS
SPED Federal Programs Leadership

Contact Us

We are here to listen and help.

Please contact us today to hear more about our practice and talk in more detail about how we can serve your schools.

Learn More
Contact Us

PO Box 6512
Laurel, MS 39441

[email protected]

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.