At Kids First Education, our team is made up of passionate educators, innovative thinkers, and committed leaders who believe in putting students—and the teachers who serve them—first. Each member of our team brings a unique blend of expertise and heart to help schools and districts achieve meaningful, lasting results.
Founders
Cellie Scoggin
Co-Founder
Christ Follower, Family Focused, Purposefully Driven, Motivated to Empower Others
Chuck Poer
Co-Founder
Original, Caring, Creative, Expressive and Flexible
Senior Leadership
Jennifer Weeks
Vice President of Educational Strategy
Growing, Grateful, Goal-oriented
Shawnese Herrington
Vice President of Educational Services
Ambitious, Passionate Educator, Family-Oriented, Beach Bum, Lover of Shoes and Handbags
Patrick Scoggin
Vice President of Operations
Christian, Husband, Father, Runner, Outdoorsman
Kristie Ezzell
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Passionate about Education and Kids, Multitasker, Boy Momma, Family Oriented, HGTV Junkie
Jared Myracle
Vice President of Research and Development
Student-Focused Leader, Mountain Climber, Girl Dad
Research and Development
Rachael Ross
Director of Design and Development
Empathetic leader, optimistic teammate, Mom of two, Wannabe tennis pro
Robin McClellan
Product Development and Partnership Specialist
Students first. Equity always. Leadership with authenticity and courage. Rooted in Jesus—and powered by family, friends, and a terrific teenager.
Michelle Gaines
Instructional Designer
Strategic, Creative, Authentic, & Adventurous
John Prince
Product Development and Customer Success Specialist
Believer in “Do the Math!”, blessed husband, father, and grandfather, would rather be fishing
Dori Hansen
RFP Manager
A tireless and passionate educator, wife, mother, and proud Grammy of 3, Gardener, expert shopper, dedicated Golden Eagle
Sales and Marketing
Phyllis Hicks
Regional Executive Director of Field and Expansion
Avid Competitor, Passionate Educator, Nerdy athlete, Completely devoted to faith and family
Shannon Uptain
Regional Executive Director of Sales Strategy
Resourceful, Analytical, Traveler, Life-long learner, Converted lover of Broadway musicals
Sue Anne Boatman
Executive Director of Field Marketing and Partnerships
Spreader of Kindness, Motivational Networker, Christ-Centered, Family-Focused, Fashionista!
Erin Scoggin
Director of Marketing Operations and Digital Strategy
Redeemed, runner, wife, mom of both, thankful for the beauty in everyday moments
Seasoned Educator, Forward-Thinker, Blessed Mother & Grandmother, Saved by Grace, Avid Water Skier
Mary Ruth Wright
Area Sales
Honest Advocate for ALL students, Family Oriented, MSU loving dog and horse fanatic
Maggie Sheppard
Associate Intern for Sales and Marketing
Enthusiastic Learner, Avid Reader, Country Music Lover
Academic Leadership
Karen Carr
Regional Executive Director of Educational Services
Enthusiastic motivator, hopeful encourager, grower of vegetables, quilt-maker, lover of all things Auburn Tigers!
Marvin Lishman
Director of Educational Services, Independent Schools
Focused, Life-Long Learner, Pop to AW and Gaines, MSU Bulldog Fan, Lover of High School Sports
Amber Palmer
Director of Resources and Development
World Traveler, Trivia Fanatic, Organization and Label Lover
Michele Parker
Regional Area Coordinator
Resilient and intentional, traveler, family-focused
Tamara Cerrito
Regional Area Coordinator
Encouraging educator, Family-focused, Lover of lists and cooking
Rachel Wooten
Area Coordinator
Organization wizard, reader of westerns, writer of all the feels, ice cream connoisseur, goat and chicken mama
Cynthia Gabbert
Area Coordinator
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
Delightfully dedicated, persistent problem solver, thankful wife, mom of two boys, tireless traveler, grateful daughter of the King, avid fan of Hallmark movies and great books
Lisa Comer
Content Specialist
Analytical Problem Solver, Goal-Oriented Strategic Planner, Family-Oriented, Christ Follower, Exuberant Christmas Lover, Avid Beach Explorer
Driven, problem-solver, Jesus follower, wife/mom, addicted to black coffee, & terrified of heights
Scott Woodall
Content Specialist
Educational leader, God, family, and friends are most important, sports fanatic
Adrienne Graham
Content Specialist
Resource Sharer, Binge Watcher, Lover of Football
Matt Thompson
Content Specialist
Grower of leaders, investor in students, builder of instructional systems, child of God, Philadelphia sports fan (Go Phillies! Fly Eagles Fly!), '80s music lover, Sanibel vacationer
Donna Harper
Content Specialist
Organized, Punctual, Avid Reader, World Traveler, Grandmother, Lover of all things Purple!
Aaron Hightower
Content Specialist
Personable, Motivator, Believer in Servanthood, Very Family Oriented, Avid Pickleball Player
Joni Johnson
Content Specialist
An intentionally organized planner devoted to faith and family, adventure-seeking stargazer, proud German Shorthaired Pointer mom, and grateful mom of three.
Riki Jackson
Content Specialist
Goal-oriented, Student-centered, Family-focused, Asian food obsessed, Lake girl
Corey Kelly
Content Specialist
Consistent, Compassionate, Courageous, Kelly-Clan Centered, Dallas Cowboys Fan
Shemekia Rankin
Content Specialist
Strategic Thinker, Results-Driven Leader, Devoted Mother, Faith-Driven Lifelong Learner, Fashion & Fitness Enthusiast, Always Planning the Next Trip, Brunch Lover
Goal-Oriented, Dependable Team Player, Follower of Jesus, Wife and Tough Boy Mom, Lives off of Pizza and chocolate
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!