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 CellieShawnese 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 ShawneseReeda 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 ReedaLee-Ann C. Kight
Executive Director of Educational Services, TN Division
Consensus builder, data nerd and difference maker who loves reading and is goofy over her dogs
“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted." - Garrison Keill
Meet Lee-Ann C.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 MarvinPatrick 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 PatrickCassandra 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 CassandraStephanie Allen, Ed.S
Project Coordinator
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 StephanieMarketing & Sales
Regina Ginn, M.Ed.
Executive Director of Marketing
Live... Laugh... Love
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi
Meet ReginaSue Anne Boatman
Mississippi Marketing & Sales
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 AnneKristie Ezzell
Alabama Marketing & Sales
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 KristieSupport 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 ErinRandi 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 RandiHead 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 CharlotteJennifer Weeks, Ed.S.
Integrated Teams Manager / Special Education Team Leader / Head Coach
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 JenniferKaty 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 KatyKayla 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 KaylaNicole 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 NicoleRachel 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 RachelStephanie 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 StephanieKristie 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 KristiePhyllis 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 PhyllisCindy 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 CindyReeda 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 ReedaCasey 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 CaseyMichele 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 MicheleLaQuanta 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 LaQuantaJessica 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 JessicaMichele 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 MicheleShanna 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 ShannaKaren 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 KarenShannon 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 ShannonNatalie 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 NatalieDonna 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 DonnaLynn 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 LynnMadelyn 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 MadelynShondra 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 ShondraCynthia 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 CynthiaMary 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 RuthCorey 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 CoreyEbonee 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 EboneeCarol 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 CarolGidget 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 GidgetContent Area Specialists
Select a content area below to learn more about our team members in each specialty.
