Principal Mark Beechem originally hails from Grenada, MS. HIs degrees include a BS in Elementary Education and an MS in Secondary Education, and his professional experience encompasses 28 years in education, including 14 years as a principal. Outside of school, you’ll find him spending time with family and friends. His outlook aligns with the personalized learning approach: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can” by Arthur Ashe.
Jessie Walker is a lifelong resident of Greenwood, MS. His degrees include a Bachelor of Elementary Education from the University of Mississippi, and a Master of Elementary Education from Walden University. As a career educator, he has served as an Inclusion Teacher at both the elementary and middle school levels. His personal interests are fishing, traveling, and playing and coaching basketball. He believes in this credo: “Never judge a book by its cover—read it first.”
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.
Markita Smith is a lifelong resident of Greenwood, MS. As part of her professional development, she has earned both a Bachelor and Master of Social Work, as well as certification in Mental Health First Aid. For five years she’s served in the mental health field helping children and adults set and accomplish their goals. In her down time, she enjoys spending time with her children and being a confidante for friends and family. Her motto: “You are the author, illustrator, and publisher of your life story, so make it a bestseller!”
Makeda Chandler, a Greenwood native, holds a BS in Nursing and has 11 years of nursing experience,
specializing in pediatric and adolescent behaviors. Her motto is “Stop living for the validation and start living for the victory.”
https://www.linkedin.com/in/makeda-chandler-bsn-rn-ab9808232/