Meet Our Team
KIDS 1st Education LLC was founded on May 1st, 2020 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.
Chuck Poer
VP of Sales & Quality Assurance
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
VP of Educational Services
Christ Follower, Family Focused, Purposefully Driven, Motivated to Empower Others
“What we know matters, but who we are matters more” -Brene Brown
Meet CellieRegina Ginn
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 ReginaLiza Reed
Director of Support Services
Christ Follower, Obsessive Planner, Intentional with Today, Artistically Inspired at Random Moments
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them” Mother Teresa
Meet LizaCharlotte 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 CharlotteJamie 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 JamiePatrick Scoggin
Head Coach/Math Support Team Leader
Christian, Husband, Father, Runner, Outdoorsman
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." -African proverb.
Meet PatrickTony Cook
Leadership Support Team Leader
Team Oriented, Educational Nerd, 70s and 80s sitcom junkie
“If you take care of the little things, the big things take care of themselves.”
Meet TonyCeleta Trotter
Instructional Coach Team Leader/ELA Support Team Member
Servant Leader, Enthusiastic Collaborator, Adventure Seeker
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” - Martin Luther King
Meet CeletaNicole Cooley
ELA Support 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 NicoleKayla Calcote
Math Support Team Leader
Thoroughly Meticulous, Family Obsessed, Sudoku Puzzler
“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” -Albert Einstein
Meet KaylaStephanie Brewer
Math Support Team Leader
Energetic, Fiercely Positive, People Lover
"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." -Abraham Lincoln
Meet StephanieLecia Stubblefield
Federal Programs Support Team Leader/ RTI Rails Specialist/Head Coach
Extremely Dedicated, Christian, Family Focused, Lover of Sports and Travel
“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are an excellent leader.” - Dolly Parton
Meet LeciaJennifer Weeks
School Improvement Specialist
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 JenniferShawnese Herrington
Head Coach/ELA Support Team Leader
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 ShawneseAngie Blake
ELA Support Team Member
Christ Follower, Fiercely Competitive, Lover of Travel and Hershey’s Chocolate
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." - H. Keller
Meet AngieAshley Bynum
ELA Support Team Member
Ambivert, Boy Mom, Picky Eater
“Remember who you are and whose you are.”
Meet AshleyAshley Kazery
ELA Support Team Member
Family Centered, Life-Long Learner, Avid Reader, Embraces Challenge and Adventure
“One stands taller in the climb to success than when he bends over to help someone else.” - John C. Maxwell
Meet AshleyLaDonna Mason
ELA Support Team Member
Christ Follower, Life-Long Learner, Fun Seeker
"What greater joy can a teacher feel than to witness a child's success?" - Michelle L. Graham
Meet LaDonnaLien 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 LienMichelle Cooper
ELA Support Team Member
Conscientious, Artistic, Lover of SEC Sports, Sweet Tea, & Jesus
“Just remember, every young person in that room is somebody’s child. Someone’s most beloved gift.” - A Veteran Teacher
Meet MichelleNikki Buss
ELA Support Team Member
Dedicated Educator, Thoughtful Friend, Avid Sports Fan
"Decide what to be and go be it." - The Avett Brothers
Meet NikkiSharon Turner
ELA Support Team Member
Believer, Organized, Discerning, Kinesthetic Learner
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!" - Phil. 4:13
Meet SharonStephanie Case
ELA Support Team Member
Christian, Natural Motivator, Runner
“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” - Carl Buehner
Meet StephanieAmber Palmer
Math Support Team Member
World Traveler, Trivia Fanatic, Organization and Label Lover
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream" - C.S. Lewis
Meet AmberDevin Boone
Math Support Team Member
Driven Competitor, Proud Poppa, Aspiring Athlete
"Don't just be. Be the best." - Unknown
Meet DevinLaura 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 LauraLynn White
Math Support Team Member
Organized, Avid Gardener, Sweet Tooth for Chocolate
"Your time is the best gift you can give your children"
Meet LynnStephanie Gilder
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 StephanieTracy Robinson
ELA Support Team Member/Data Specialist
Prayer Warrior, Artistically Inspired, Productive Problem-Solver, Solution-Oriented
“Our conversations, attitudes, behaviors and efforts are navigational tools. They either point us toward the problem or lead us to solutions. Be mindful of the course you are traveling.” - Tracy Robinson
Meet TracyVaughan Nichols
Math Support Team Member
Math Coach, Child of God, Lover of Health & Fitness
"What you do has greater impact than what you say." - Stephen Covey
Meet VaughanJeana Cook
Math Support Team Member
Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Advocate for Teachers and Student-Centered Classrooms, Loves Cooking, Fresh Jalapenos, and Memphis Tigers
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about." - Wendy Mass
Meet JeanaRenee Manning
EL Support Team Member
Passionate about Jesus & Family, Energetic & Determined, Lover of Animals, Books & Outdoors
“BELIEVE YOU CAN AND YOU’RE HALFWAY THERE.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Meet ReneeTiffani Chandler
ELA Support Team Member
Family-Focused, Motivated and Purpose-Driven, Bug-Hating Nature Lover
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Meet TiffaniTamara Cerrito
ELA and Math Support Team Member
Encourager, Educator, Wife, Mama, & Lover of Lists and Cooking
"When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.” - Dalai Lama
Meet TamaraPhyllis 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 PhyllisKaty Boyd
Math Support Team Member
Math minded motivator, fitness instructor, mother of boys, sunshine seeking bird lover
"The most significant of changes are those that are made within."
Meet KatyRachel Wooten
ELA and Special Education Instructional Coach / MTSS and Dyslexia Specialist
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 RachelTiffany Phinisey
Math Support Team Member
Data-Driven, Culinary Savvy, Cat Lady
"In a world that wants me to whisper, I choose to yell" - Luvvie Ajayi
Meet TiffanyGaye Wilson
Math Support Team Member
Punctual and Purpose Driven, Dedicated Christian, Wife, Mother, and Friend, Love working in yard and exercising
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men." - Colossians 3:23
Meet GayeJordan 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 JordanMary Ruth Wright
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 RuthTyra Saucier, M.Ed.
ELA Support Team Member
Extremely Creative, Family Oriented, Food Guru!
“If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control - myself.” ― Stephen Covey
Meet TyraMegan Doolittle
Science Support Team Member
Data obsessed, Dog trainer, Speaks to animals but they don’t speak back
“Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.” --William Shakespeare
Meet MeganDr. Greg Cobb
Sales Team and Leadership Support Team Member/Head Coach
Christ Follower, Devoted Husband, Lover of Travel, and Antique Enthusiast
“It’s easier to build strong children then to repair broken men” - Frederick Douglass
Meet GregDr. Mark Kirkemier
Sales/Leadership Support Team Lead
Curious, Learner, Believe every individual has God-given talent, perspective, gifts, and abilities
“The things we value most should get the most of our time and attention”
Meet MarkVicki Davis
Sales Support Team and Leadership Support Team Member/Head Coach
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 VickiCassandra Williams
Early Childhood Team Leader and 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 CassandraSheila Weathersby Burbridge
Leadership Support Team Member
Creative, Motivator, Grandmother, Cancer Survivor
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” – Theodore Roosevelt
Meet SheilaAdrienne Graham
Math Support Team Member
Resource Sharer, Binge Watcher, Lover of Football
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” -Mahatma Gandhi
Meet AdrienneCasey Wilberding
ELA Support Team Member
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 CaseyCathy Lutz
Early Learning Support Team Member
Blessed Noni of 9 Who Loves Sunsets and Getting the Job Done
Go confidentially in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” - Henry David Thoreau
Meet CathyCrystal Glenn
ELA Support Team Member
Eager Collaborator and Tennis Enthusiast with an Enchanting Smile
“Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.”
Meet CrystalDodie Miller
Math Support Team Member
Encourager, Family-Focused, Lover of All Music
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” - Robert Louis Stevenson
Meet DodieErin Scoggin
Support Services Team
Christ-Centered, Tenaciously-Minded, Gym Fanatic, Family-Focused, and Determined to Finish Strong
“All limitations are self-imposed.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes
Meet ErinGabriel 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 GabrielGwen Cobb
Special Education Support Team Member
Resourceful, Effective Communicator, Music Lover, Dollar Tree junkie
“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 GwenJan 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 JanJoy Darley
Math Support Team Member
Organization fanatic, Promoter of conceptual understanding, Christian, Food & Fitness lover
“The EXPERT at anything was once a BEGINNER.” - Helen Hayes
Meet JoyKacey Ginn
Math Support Team Member
Enjoys researching about the brain, Loves to plan, Enneagram type 6
“Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we’re all in this together.” -Brene Brown
Meet KaceyKeitha Segrest
ELA Secondary Support Team Member
Christ Follower, Data Enthusiast, Golfer
"Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate." - Jon Bon Jovi
Meet KeithaLakeisha Stokes
Early Learning Support Team Member
Data-Digger, Nature Lover, Barrier Breaker, Family Fanatic
"The great courageous act that we must all do, is to have the courage to step out of our history and past so that we can live our dreams." Oprah Winfrey
Meet Lakeisha Laurie Poppenheimer
ELA Support Team Member
Christ follower, family oriented, dedicated to student improvement, enthusiastic about teaching
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.” - Benjamin Franklin
Meet LaurieDr. Lucy S. Cohen
Early Childhood/Elementary Support Team Member
Energetic Educator, Community Organizer, Awesome GG and Wife
“I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand"
Meet Dr. LucyLynn Faulk
Science Support Team Member
Dedicated, Goal-Oriented, Nature-Lover, Nostalgic Videographer
“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” - Edmund Hillary
Meet LynnMicca A. Knox, Ed.D.
Early Learning Support Team Member
#1 Boy Mom, Ceramic Frog Collector, Avid Researcher and Presenter
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 2911
Meet MiccaPaige Norwood
ELA Support Team Member / MTSS Specialist / Dyslexia Specialist
Science of Reading Enthusiast, Fun-Loving Friend, Southern Cookbook Collector/Junkie
“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” - Albert Einstein
Meet PaigeRhonda Gaughf
Math Support Team Member
Encourager, Wife, Mother, and Grandmother, Sewer of Children’s Clothes
“We Can't Direct the wind, but We Can Adjust Our Sails” - Thomas S. Monson.
Meet RhondaTammie Skelton
Federal Programs/School Improvement Support Team Member
Dedicated Lifelong Learner, Enthusiastic People Person, Flavored Coffee Lover
“It is a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.” - William Somerset Maugham
Meet Tammie