June 21, 2013
JACKSON, Miss. – Chad Shealy, principal at Gary Road Intermediate School in the Hinds County School District, is the 2013 Mississippi Administrator of the Year. Shealy was selected from four finalists Friday at the Mississippi Board of Education meeting in Jackson.
Shealy believes that students thrive in an environment that is safe, academically rigorous, and socially nurturing. He works to support faculty and staff in efforts to improve professional performance, and he encourages community involvement with the school.
“With the support from our community and hard work from our staff, we have moved the performance level of Gary Road Intermediate School all the way to High Performing, and we are designated as a B school. As our motto states, we are choosing to be better,” Shealy said.
Shealy, who has 14 years of educational experience, has served as principal of Gary Road Intermediate School since 2010. He has worked as a principal and assistant principal with the Hinds County School District since 2001. Prior to that, he was an art teacher in Byram and Madison.
He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mississippi College. He was named the 2011-12 Hinds County Principal of the Year, and he has served as president of the Mississippi Association of Middle Level Education.
Administrator of the Year Finalists
Congressional district 1 finalist Corey Uselton, who has 19 years of educational experience, has served as principal of DeSoto Central High School since 2009. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis, a master’s degree from Delta State University, and a specialist’s degree in K-12 Educational Leadership from the University of Mississippi.
He believes the primary responsibility of educators is to show a genuine interest in students’ well-being because if students know educators care, they will be motivated to reach their full potential.
LaVonda Germany, congressional district 3 finalist, has 22 years of educational experience. She has been principal at Poplar Springs Elementary since 2008. She received her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and educational specialist degree from Mississippi State University.
Germany believes it is the job of the administrator to create a support system that allows faculty and staff to perform at the highest level. She also holds students to high standards. Her guiding philosophy is “expect greatness, because nothing less will do.”
Congressional district 4 finalist Dane Aubé, who has 20 years of educational experience, has served as principal of Hancock Middle School since 2009. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Aubé says it is his job to prepare middle school students for high school, and through hard work by faculty and staff, students have met high standards. His guiding focus is that excellence in academic performance must never trample on the basic reason why educators choose their profession: to nurture and educate future generations to be better than we are.
About Mississippi Administrator of the Year
The Mississippi Administrator of the Year program honors an administrator who demonstrates superior ability to inspire teachers, employs exemplary leadership practices and participates as an active member of the community. Elementary and secondary school principals and vocational-technical directors are eligible for the award. Entries are limited to one per school district.
The state selection committee chooses four finalists, one from each congressional district. Following an interview with each finalist, the committee selects the state Administrator of the Year.
The Administrator of the Year receives formal recognition by the state Board of Education and a $5,000 salary supplement from the Mississippi Department of Education. during the school year following selection. The AOY is also asked to share expertise through various presentations and activities for the improvement of education in the state.
Dr. Wayne Gann, Chad Shealy, Dr. Lynn House
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519