Meet our Board Members for 2024-2025
Dr. Morgan Abraham
Dr. Morgan Abraham is an Elementary Principal with the Starkville Oktibbeha School District, where she has served at Sudduth Elementary since 2019. Prior to her time at Sudduth, she served as an assistant principal, instructional coach, and teacher in Vicksburg-Warren School District and Tupelo Public School District. With 17 years in education, her focus has remained steadfast on data-driven instructional practices that are developmentally appropriate and meet the unique social, emotional, and academic needs of young learners. As the leader at Sudduth, which houses PreK, kindergarten, and First Grade students, she believes that developmentally appropriate, research-based practices paired with a collaborative school environment are the keys to creating successful teachers and students.
She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University, an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Alcorn State University, an Ed.S. from Delta State University in Educational Administration and Supervision, and an Ed.D. in P-12 Educational Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Abraham was named the Starkville Oktibbeha School District's Administrator of the Year in 2020 and in 2024 was honored as the Mississippi Elementary Principal of the Year and Mississippi National Distinguished Principal.
Dr. Donna Boone
Dr. Donna Boone brings over 30 years of diverse experience in K–16 education, with a career spanning four states: Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana. She has held a wide range of roles—including assistant teacher, classroom teacher, lead teacher, assistant principal, principal, director, educational consultant, adjunct professor, assistant superintendent, superintendent, and deputy state superintendent.
Dr. Boone most recently served as Chief Academic Officer for the Mississippi Department of Education. Prior to that, she spent eight years as a local school district superintendent. Throughout her career, she has successfully led improvement efforts in underperforming schools and districts while also supporting the continued excellence of high-performing systems.
She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Florida and holds a Master of Education from Mississippi College. She completed her Ph.D. in Educational Administration at the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Boone has received numerous honors for her service, including Teacher of the Year, Administrator of the Year, the Distinguished Service Award for District Office, and recognition as an “Educational Celebrity” by Georgia's Leadership Institute for School Improvement.
Dr. Teresa Duke
Dr. Teresa Duke began serving as an assistant professor in the Teacher Education and Leadership Department of Mississippi College in August 2024. Dr. Duke served as a district administrator for the Clinton Public School District prior to joining MC’s faculty. She has served 32 years in public education in the state of Mississippi that includes working in the districts of Gulfport, Columbus, and Clinton. Her experience includes ten years as a teacher, thirteen years as a building-level administrator, and nine years as a district administrator.
Dr. Duke earned her B.S. at Mississippi State University. Her Master’s Degree in School Administration was earned from Mississippi College and her Ph. D. in Educational Leadership was earned from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her recognitions include Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year from the Clinton Public School District.
- taduke@mc.edu
- 601.925.7768
Matt Fulton
Matt Fulton is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi College, and Arkansas State University, Mr. Fulton is currently serving as principal of Sumner Hill Junior High School in Clinton, MS and pursuing an Ed.D. through Belhaven University. Mr. Fulton spent his teaching career preparing students for the state US History Test and coaching soccer in Jackson Public Schools, Rankin County School District, and Clinton Public School District. Prior to serving as principal of Sumner Hill Junior High School Mr. Fulton served as the 12th grade principal and school test coordinator at Clinton High School, and as assistant district test coordinator for Clinton Public School District. Mr. Fulton is married, has three children, and attends Parkway Baptist Church in Clinton where he currently serves as an elder and Sunday school teacher.
- mfulton@clintonpublicschools.com
- 601.924.5510
Carmen Gray
Mrs. Carmen Gary is the Elementary Principal at Parkway Elementary School in the Tupeo Public School District, a role she has held since 2017. With 22 years of experience in education, she has also served as an assistant principal, instructional coach, and teacher. She remains deeply committed to advocating for all students and fostering a thriving learning environment.
In 2016, Mrs. Gary proudly participated in the Principals’ Institute. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, and an Ed.S., all from The University of Mississippi. Her dedication and leadership have earned her several recognitions, including being named Administrator of the Year (2021-2022), participation in the Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute, recipient of the prestigious S.L. Ratliff Education Award, and has received founder’s grants from the Association of Excellence for Education.
Dr. Sara Harper
Dr. Sara Harper has been the principal of McWillie Elementary since 2013, where over 400 students are enrolled, with 300 of the students in an early childhood program. She started her teaching career in the Jackson Public School District in 2000 as an exceptional education teacher and taught Montessori Elementary I and II from 2007 until 2013. Dr. Harper has recently been selected as the 2023-2024 Jackson Public School District Administrator of the Year and the Mississippi Congressional District 2 Administrator of the Year which resulted in her being selected as part of the final four Administrators of the Year for the state of Mississippi. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Millsaps College and her master’s degree in counseling from Jackson State University. She also earned a specialist’s and doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Mississippi College.
Dr. Harper is the leader of the only public Montessori program in the state of Mississippi. McWillie has an A rating and is one of the top three schools in the district and in the top 5% in the state of Mississippi. Dr. Harper believes that students have a natural desire to learn and that educators must prepare learning environments for the appropriate states of development. She emphatically believes that it is her duty as a professional educator to empower faculty, staff members, students, parents, and community members to take ownership of the process of educating our citizens.
Dr. Sara Harper graduated as a cohort member of the Mississippi Leading Innovative Teaching and Learning Environments in Early Childhood (MS L.I.T.E.) in 2024. She serves as a principal coach for the Jackson Public School District and serves on the Mississippi Department of Education Principal Advisory Council. In both roles, she assists other leaders to provide support and guidance to help make decisions that positively impact all children. Dr. Harper mentors candidates in the Master’s of Arts in Teaching Program and the Education Doctoral Program at Belhaven University. She is a member of Junior League of Jackson where she serves children in the Metro Jackson area and a member of Word of Life church, teaching 3 and 4-year-olds in Sunday School. She is also a graduate and current board member of Leadership Greater Jackson and is an active advisory board member and facilitator of the Principals’ Institute at Mississippi College.
Dr. Sara Harper resides in Madison with her husband, Ontario, and her daughter, Holland. Holland is a PreK-4 Montessori student at McWillie Elementary.
Dr. Ledora Harris
Dr. Ledora Harris, a 43-year retired educator, and former director of the Millsaps College Principals and Teachers’ Institute for over 15 years. Dr. Harris’ extensive educational career included service as college professor, school administrator, classroom teacher, educational consultant, and pre-service teacher supervisor. Several years of Dr. Harris’ educational career included work with the Mississippi Department of Education in the Office of School Improvement and the Office of Teaching and Leading.
Dr. Harris earned her B. S. Degree and Master’s Degree in elementary education from Alcorn State University and Mississippi State University, respectively. She earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Jackson State University.
Dr. Dena Kinsey
Dr. Dena Kinsey has served as Principal of St. Joseph Catholic School since 2017, bringing a wealth of experience in both education and leadership. With nearly 15 years of classroom teaching experience across elementary, middle, and high school levels in both public and parochial schools, she is deeply committed to fostering academic excellence and faith formation. Prior to becoming principal, she served as High School Director and religion teacher at St. Joseph. She continues to teach one class of Algebra I each year.
In addition to her career in education, Dr. Kinsey spent 10 years in retirement planning, using her teaching skills to help corporate employees navigate their financial futures. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Mississippi State University, a master’s in educational leadership from Mississippi College, and in 2020, she earned her doctoral degree in education from Mississippi State University. She is licensed in Mississippi to teach mathematics and serve as a school administrator.
Beyond her professional life, Dr. Kinsey is a wife, mother, and grandmother who is actively involved in her faith. She is a devoted member of Holy Savior Catholic Church in Clinton, where she serves as president on the Parish Council and as a lector. Her leadership, dedication, and passion for Catholic education continue to make a lasting impact on the St. Joe community.
Dr. Temeka Shannon
Dr. Temeka Shannon is the principal of West Point High School. The school in which she graduated from in 1996. After graduating from West Point High School Temeka attended Alcorn State University and received a Bachelor’s of Arts in English, in 2000. In August 2000 Dr. Shannon began teaching English at Tupelo High School. Dr. Shannon became an administrative intern and Assistant Principal at Tupelo High School after two years being there. In 2002 Dr. Shannon finished at Mississippi State University with a Master’s in Educational Leadership. In 2003, Dr. Shannon received a call from a neighboring district superintendent to interview for a principal’s position. Dr. Shannon was interviewed and was offered the position. With little experience but much faith, Dr. Shannon assumed the role of Principal at Verona Jr. High School. The school was later reorganized with another school in the district and became an elementary school. It was there, at Verona Elementary, that Dr. Shannon blossomed as a leader. Dr. Shannon states, “there were some very high moments, and then there were the lessons that I bought, that were hard.” Those high moments when everyone is celebrating and happy because goals are accomplished are always great memories. The moments when a leader experiences academic setback is difficult to accept because the public knows those less than satisfactory moments and either uplift you or remind you of those moments. However, it is in those moments that a true leader self reflects first, seeks guidance from other leaders to assist with their professional growth and development.
Dr. Shannon worked in the Central Office at Aberdeen School District as the Chief Academic Officer (2017-2022); Chief Federal Programs Officer (2022-2023.) During the 5 years in Aberdeen, a structured Academic Coaching Program was implemented-all school now have Academic Coaches, Aberdeen Elementary 3rd grade Reading Assessment had a pass rate of 60% the first time, Increased proficient in 3rd grade ELA and Math, AES Accountability rating increased from an F, to a C and to a B, the middle school increased in both ELA and Math that rating increased from a D to a C. Proficient at the high school increased from 7.9 to 60.6. Overall Dr. Shannon has a strong track record of building struggling academic programs and schools.
Dr. Shannon served as the Principal of Verona Elementary School with the Lee County School District. Dr. Shannon improved VES from a failing school to a successful school based on the accountability model. Building partnerships with the community, building the capacity of teachers, educating parents on various educational topics, was a strength.
Dr. Shannon is also an adjunct professor at Mississippi State University where she teaches in the Ed. Leadership Department.
Dr. Shannon received her Specialist in Instructional Leadership from William Carey University in 2019 and her Doctorate in Education in November 2022 from William Carey University.
Dr. Shannon is married to Craig Shannon, and they have two boys: Cayden and Kellen.
Dr. Jennifer F. Stafford
Dr. Jennifer F. Stafford is a tenured professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership at MS College. Dr. Stafford joined MC’s faculty in 2012 and currently serves as the Department Chair. Dr. Stafford's past P-12 experiences include being an Assistant Science Supervisor for grades 6-12, Chemistry and Biology teacher. Dr. Stafford has served as the President of the MS Educational Leadership Faculty Association (MELFA), where she is still an active member. Dr. Stafford is passionately invested in supporting all educators and leaders in the state of MS.
Dr. Will Wheat
Dr. Will Wheat serves as the principal of Forrest County Agricultural High School (FCAHS). He has spent the majority of his life and entire professional career in South Mississippi. He has fifteen years of experience as an educator. Five years he served as a teacher and the last ten years he has served as an administrator. Before stepping into administration, he taught 11th grade U.S. History and coached basketball. He believes his teaching and coaching experiences have helped shape his leadership approach.
Dr. Wheat shares that, “As a young principal in 2016, the Principal’s Institute provided me with invaluable networking opportunities that continue to benefit me today. It also offered fresh perspectives on the evolving challenges school administrators face. I am honored to now give back by serving on the Advisory Board for the Principal’s Institute, where I hope to support and empower fellow leaders in education.”
