Haley Scott is a native of Swiftown, MS. Ms. Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies – Education and a Master of Arts in Convergent Media, and she is pursuing a Master of Education from Belhaven University. She has held the title of ELA Teacher for the past four years. She enjoys spending time with family, cooking, and writing children’s books. She firmly believes in this motto: “The more you know, the more you grow!”
Greenwood native Kyana Ramsey holds a BS in Kinesiology and an MA in Kinesiology and Disability Studies. Previously she taught through the High School Equivalency Program at Mississippi Valley State University. Ms. Ramsey draws personal and professional inspiration from a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “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.” She enjoys exercising, watching sports, and spending time with family.
Jennifer Neal was born and reared in Greenwood, MS. She has earned a BA in English and an MS Criminal Justice. Her professional experience includes 12 years teaching Adult Education/GED courses with the MS Dept. of Corrections and Coahoma Community College. Her philosophy is: “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” In her free time, she enjoys reading crime novels, traveling, and spending time with her puppy, Bella.
Ralphael Summerville, from Greenwood, MS, holds a BS in Social Work and an AA in Art. His career has included three years as a teacher and two as a safety officer. Mr. Summerville is guided by this motto: “Everyone can learn, but some learn at a different pace.” Outside of school, he enjoys watching football and spending time with family and friends. His advice is this: “Encourage everyone—someone will listen.”
Florina Moreno spent her childhood in San Diego, CA. Her degrees include a BA in Linguistics and a BA in Japanese. After three years tutoring English at San Diego City College, she spent two years as a Language Arts instructor at the Mississippi Valley State University High School Equivalency Program. She draws inspiration from this motto: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” When not helping students prepare for the ACT exam, she may be found playing guitar.
Sharron Collins hails from Winona, MS. Her educational accomplishments include an Ed.D in Workforce Education, Ed.S in Educational Leadership, MS in Instructional Technology, and BA in Business Administration. Her interests include restoration of antique furniture and self wellness. She draws inspiration from Mahatma Ghandi: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Coming Soon
Ferderick Childress was born and reared in Greenwood, MS. He holds a degree in Health/Physical Education and has been a PE teacher for five years. His outlook is, “Respect all, fear none.”
Lakima “Kima” Ross is a Charleston, MS native. Ms. Ross has been in education for six years; her experience includes teaching 6th and 7th grade English Language Arts across the MS Delta. Ms. Ross graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with a BA in English. She vocalizes that, “Teaching is not just a job, it is a mission—a true calling.” She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, cooking, and watching crime shows.
Yasmin Hunter hails from Clarksdale, MS and holds a BS in History. When not teaching, she enjoys to the gym and putting together outfits. The quote that guides her in from Psalm 121: “My help cometh from the Lord.”
Maya Caradine is originally from Winona, MS. She holds numerous degrees, including a BS in Forensic Science: Biological Science and an MS in Criminal Justice. Previously she taught at Benedict Day school. She enjoys drawing, playing video games, and singing. Her philosophy is, “Never give up. Every failure is an opportunity to learn and every win will help you achieve your goal.”
Jerrick Cheeks is a native of Greenwood, MS. His degrees include an MBA in General Business Administration and a BS in Finance & General Business Administration. Professionally, his experience includes several years in various roles in public schools. In his free time, he enjoys learning new quotes and gaming, and he looks at each day as a new day. He and his older brother are not twins, but they are often mistaken for twins because they look alike and share similar interests.
Ashley Carpenter is from Indianola, MS, and relocated to Greenwood four years ago. She holds a BS in Elementary Education. Her passion is helping children in a positive way, whether through education or simply being involved in their lives. She firmly believes in this motto: “Education will take you anywhere you want to go.” She is also passionate about cheer and dance.
Deborah Martin is originally from Seattle, Washington. She has 25 years of experience as a K-12 classroom instructor, teaching gifted and performing arts courses. Her qualifications include a BS and a Masters in Music Education. Deborah draws inspiration from a quote by Rita Pierson: “Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” She considers herself a lifelong learner and hopes to instill that same philosophy in students. In her free time, you’ll find her writing a book for children, playing and teaching piano, and singing.
Greenwood native Monique Johnson holds a BS degree and a Master of Management. Her professional experience includes 12 years at Mississippi Valley State University where she provided guidance and resources to students and alumni to strengthen their professional skills and create a career path leading to a successful future. She views every day as an opportunity to become a better version of herself. Outside school hours, she loves to travel, learn, and read.
Mr. Anderson started life in Moorhead, MS. He holds a BS in Physics, and an MS and PhD in Educational Leadership. His extensive experience in education includes ten years of classroom teaching, four years as a school administrator, and 15 years as school district superintendent. When not at school, you might find him fishing, golfing or bowling. The motto that guides his choices is, “God has given us the ability. We must use it to help others.”
Tamira Brown hails from Greenwood, MS. She holds a BS in Business Administration and is a first year teacher. She holds Proverbs 18:24 close to her heart: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Ms. Brown loves reading, exploring museums, and gardening.
Natasha Moore is from Grenada, MS. Her various degrees include a BS in Healthcare Administration, MAEd In Special Education, and an MAEd in Curriculum and Instruction. She has dedicated her career to helping children; previously she spent 18 years as Director of Bountiful Blessings Preschool and seven years teaching PreK. She loves reading, traveling and being with family. Something Socrates once said made a big impact on her: “I cannot teach anyone anything; I can only make them think.”
De’Andre Keyes hails from Doddsville, Mississippi. He holds a BA in Political Science, and previously spent several years teaching World History and African American Studies. Mr. Keyes is a proud member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He wholeheartedly believes that success does not come without hard work and effort.
Casey Larry hails from Greenwood, MS. He holds a BS degree In Agriculture Business Management and enjoys coaching and playing basketball. His personal credo is, “If there’s no struggle, there’s no progress,” originally said by Frederick Douglass.
Corjuandra Calhoun-Steele was born and raised in Greenwood, MS. She was previously a pharmacy technician before joining the Leflore Legacy team through the 21st Century Community Learning Center Summer Program. She wholeheartedly believes the students always come first. In her free time, she loves singing, doing hair, cooking and crafting.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/corjuandra-calhoun-steele-289b51265
Sonja Hardeman was born and raised in Greenwood, MS. She has more than a decade of classroom experience as a teaching assistant and plans to pursue a degree in elementary education. The motto that motivates her is: “Take can’t out of your vocabulary and always try.” In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Kyla Cole is a native of Greenwood, MS. As a first year teacher, she is working toward a degree in Elementary Education, and previously studied at Mississippi Delta Community College. She is a published poet, a makeup artist, and a softball player. She likes to draw inspiration from Oscar Wilde: “Don’t compare your chapter 1 to everyone else’s chapter 20!”
Jaymese Smith-Blake is originally from Cruger, MS. She has earned a BA in Psychology and an M.Ed. in Special Education. The past decade of her career has been in the education field, with eight of those years focused on Special Education. In her downtime she enjoys fiction, especially myths, mystery and suspense. Her philosophic touchpoint is from Rene Descartes: “Cogito, ergo sum” (I think; therefore, I am).