Mar 7th, 2013

LAKE WALES – Superintendent Jesse L. Jackson and the Principal Search Committee, which includes representatives from the Janie Howard Wilson Elementary faculty, staff, and the community, are pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Barbara Jones as the new Principal of Janie Howard Wilson Elementary School.

After a national and on-line search to fill the position, Ms. Jones has been selected and will begin her permanent assignment as Principal at Janie Howard Wilson Elementary on March 19.  She began the 2012-2013 year at Janie Howard Wilson as Interim Principal, after serving in a similar role last year at Hillcrest Elementary.

Ms. Jones’ presentation of a “Strategic Plan for Excellence” outlined a multi-year plan for moving Janie Howard Wilson forward. This was a clear sign of her commitment for the long haul, said Superintendent Jackson.

Ms. Jones said her vision for Janie Howard Wilson includes building a stronger identity as a “School of Science and Technology.” She plans to work hard with her outstanding staff to support academics with technology programs such as Kids College, Math Facts Programs and Accelerated Reading. She also wants to collaborate more with Bok Academy and other local schools and businesses to ensure innovative implementation of Science and Technology.

“I am so grateful to be able to work with the staff at Janie Howard Wilson Elementary, and such a distinguished professional learning community in the Lake Wales Charter Schools,” Ms. Jones said. “Early in my career as a Speech Therapist, I worked at Janie Howard Wilson. This is just like coming back home. I look forward to being a permanent part of this trailblazing educational organization.”

Ms. Jones is a native of Winter Haven. Much of her professional career has been spent in the Polk County educational system as a school administrator, guidance counselor, classroom teacher and speech clinician. She also has taught on the college level.

Ms. Jones has a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology from Florida A&M University; a Master of Arts degree in Counselor Education from the University of South Florida; a Specialist in Education degree in Educational Leadership from Nova University; and she currently is a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at the University of Phoenix. She holds several additional certifications, and has received many community awards and recognitions for professional and civic work.