Tomorrow ends the final week that Shernise Wilson will be principal at Newton High School, but she said it has been one of the most rewarding experiences she’s ever had.
Wilson’s final day is officially June 30. Her successor, Eddwin Smith, will begin his tenure at Newton High School on July 1.
Wilson said when she came to Newton High in 2016, they had a number of barriers including a lack of technology, outdated resources, lack of training on college and career standards, lack of knowledge on understanding data and lack of funds. With all these challenges, she made a commitment to help improve these areas “because the kids deserve it.”
“I have been very blessed and thankful for the opportunity to work and Newton High School,” Wilson said. “I’ve had the opportunity to see teachers grow into and develop into some amazing educators. I’ve watched student motivation increase over the 5 years. I been able to grow and build good relationships with community stake holders, including parents, board members, community leaders, business owners, etc., vested in seeing the schools system turn around.
One thing that Wilson knew student achievement needed to be kept in the forefront. Not long after becoming principal, the school improved from a D to a B.
“I knew the students were smart but needed educators to pull it out of them,” Wilson said. “I knew quality teaching works on any student regardless of their background, deficits, or sociology-economics status. I didn’t expect us to a shift from a D to a B in my first year as principal. I thought we would improve to a C and then gradually work our way to a ‘B’-High Performing. I attribute every success to God.”
Some of the accomplishments made over the last five years included being rated No. 46 in the state of Mississippi according to U.S. News and World Report, the graduation surpassing the state average and now over 70 percent of the NHS seniors are graduating with college hours.
“We are the only African American district in this area with a High Performing rated High School,” Wilson said. “In 2019, our ACT scores increased in every area.”
Wilson will be the Chief Academic Officer in Kemper County, consulting with a reputable consulting group and finishing on my Ph.D. in education leadership.
“I really love the curriculum side of education,” Wilson said.
