Assistant Principal Dr. Em Smith Headley
South Jackson Elementary School is one of my favorite places to be! I have had a passion for both teaching and learning for many years. I have served in various roles as a teacher and leader in Georgia, including teaching almost every elementary grade level, facilitating literacy initiatives with a vertical school-based team, working in district Instructional Services to support K-8 instruction, serving as a district’s K-5 ELA Coordinator, and now as an assistant principal at a great school in a growing district. These experiences have allowed me to work on various teams, learn from diverse students, and connect with other educators. I am excited to continue to do passionate work for students while building on my interest in instilling a love of learning in a community, enhancing instructional effectiveness, and supporting the professional growth of others.
As a little girl, I went to bed each night with a flashlight and a book hidden under my pillow. My love of learning has endured. Reading, writing, and critical thinking are key ingredients for success. In my quest for lifelong learning, I have endeavored to dig into the foundations and current research on literacy and academic growth. My master’s capstone thesis covered the subject of differentiated literacy, I used every assignment for my specialist’s degree to find out how to close achievement gaps, and my doctoral dissertation focused on providing teachers practical support to use a student’s strengths for gaining literacy independence.
Just as I have used my education to enhance student learning, I have also taken an interest in increasing effective teaching within schools across my district. Through my work as a K-8 ELA Implementation Specialist, I have had led multiple professional learning sessions, partnered with schools to develop faculty professional learning plans, and designed district-wide ongoing staff development. I have grown skills to lead various sized groups of adults in person, via video conferencing, synchronously, and asynchronously. As an instructor, I would build teacher knowledge of reading and writing best practices while championing student literacy development.
Elementary education is the place where foundations are built for the brightest futures. Students must learn how to be good readers and writers, mathematicians, thinkers, friends, and members of a community. Part of that comes from organizational support and great role models. As assistant principal, I get to contribute to both. Schools run on communication, spirit, and lots of hard work. I consider all three core values and critical to pulling off the behind-the-scenes work needed to keep things running smoothly while being part of young lives in a meaningful way.
I am very excited to be part of the South Jackson community again this school year and doing everything I can to promote excellent educational outcomes for our Eagles!