Jackson Co schools get new principals

The Jackson County School Board, meeting in Jefferson, names two new school principals: Amy Adams will be, starting in June, the principal at South Jackson Elementary School, while Johnathan Harris will take over at East Jackson Middle School.

From the Jackson Co Schools website…

The Jackson County School System Board of Education approved the hires of Johnathan Harris and Amy Adams, both of whom will serve as school principals, during the Monday evening meeting.

Harris has been hired as the next principal of East Jackson Middle School, while Adams has been hired to serve as the principal of South Jackson Elementary School. Harris and Adams will begin their new positions on June 1, 2023.

Harris is currently the interim principal of Madison County High School, a position he has held since September. Adams currently serves as an Assistant Principal inside Jackson County at Gum Springs Elementary School. Harris and Adams will step into their new roles following the retirements of Mrs. Kim Johnson and Mrs. Resa Brooksher, which will take place on May 31.

“I am excited to partner with Mr. Harris as he prepares to lead East Jackson Middle School into the future. He will bring a sense of community and high expectations for all students,” JCSS Superintendent Dr. Philip Brown said. “I am equally excited to have Mrs. Adams at South Jackson. I am looking forward to the energy and enthusiasm she will bring into our school building.”

Harris and Adams are no strangers to Jackson County. Harris taught at East Jackson Comprehensive High School from 2011 through 2018, while Adams is a 1994 graduate of Jackson County High School. She returned to JCSS in 2015 as an educator.

In 2018, Harris was hired into school leadership in Franklin County. Harris joined Madison County in 2021 as an assistant principal and was elevated to interim principal in September.

Harris said returning to Jackson County was a top priority for himself and his family. Harris’ wife, Jamie, works as a literary specialist inside the Teaching and Learning Department of JCSS. Their children attend East Jackson Elementary.

“Returning to Jackson County was important to me for multiple reasons. One, it gave me the opportunity to give back to the community that helped support my growth as a developing teacher and future leader,” Harris said. “Secondly, it gave me the chance to work with a team of individuals whom I have previous experience with and who continually work to put students first. Lastly, though extremely important, returning allowed me to be in the same system with my wife and kids.”

Adams has been an educator and administrator inside JCSS since 2015. Adams worked in multiple school systems before returning to Jackson County, where she served as the MTSS Coordinator and EIP Teacher at Benton Elementary School. Adams also worked as an instructional coach at Maysville Elementary before her promotion to assistant principal at Gum Springs Elementary.

“I am just thinking of how I am a product of Jackson County, and I am so grateful to serve in a district where I was raised,” Adams said. “I am just looking forward to so many great days ahead at South Jackson.”

Both Harris and Adams will work closely with Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Brooksher throughout the remainder of this academic year, while also continuing in their current positions at their respective schools. The hire of Harris and Adams marks the third principal hire since October for the Jackson County School System. Mrs. Miriam Ledford-Lyle was hired as the principal of Legacy Knoll Middle School, which is currently under construction and set to open in August of this year.

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