Our Leadership Team
Our leadership team members come from diverse backgrounds and bring deep experience in education, to their work at KIPP Delta Public Schools. All of our team members share a common belief in our mission and our students.
Our leadership team members come from diverse backgrounds and bring deep experience in education, to their work at KIPP Delta Public Schools. All of our team members share a common belief in our mission and our students.
James began his career in mental health and juvenile justice, working with individuals in group homes, diversion programs, and a residential juvenile detention facility. While working with youth in residential facilities, James discovered impacting youth meant he had to change their trajectory before they became involved in the juvenile justice system. James began his educational career teaching high school social studies and later taught Special Education Language Arts and middle school science. Later, James became an assistant principal at an alternative education school for special education students. Under his leadership, his school was removed from Florida’s list of underperforming schools within one year. Along with his strong focus on classroom instruction and student outcomes, James also worked to increase the school’s positive impact in the community by creating a G.E.D. program on campus for parents and community members, a food pantry for students and the community, and partnerships with community stakeholders to teach his students entrepreneurial skills, computer programming, and financial literacy. James joins us after serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education at Providence Public Schools.
James earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of West Florida and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He is also a graduate of the Institute for Educational Innovation Aspiring Superintendent 2021 Cohort.
James is incredibly excited to be joining our team. Sitting through his interviews, hearing from his references, and having honest, follow-up conversations with James about the needs at KDPS, I believe James has the experience and perspective we need. I am confident that we’ll be poised to do incredible work for our students, families, and communities under his leadership.
Linda Murdock is a Chicago native and is glad to be a part of the Delta experience. Linda was a Human Resource Trainer for Boars Head Provisions, where she created and presented training to all employees and the management team. She spent 27 years in banking, with her last position as Vice President of Regions Bank, where she managed two bank branches. She began her career at KIPP Delta in 2014 as the Regional Operations Coordinator for the Central Office. In 2015, Linda moved into the role of Director of Operations for KIPP Forrest City College Preparatory School. She oversaw a campus that was in its Founding Year. Linda has held several operations roles, leading her to her current position, Managing Director of Regional Operations.
My name is LaKeda Ward. I am a native of West Helena, AR, and a product of the Helena-West Helena School District grades K-12. I am very proud to have been born and raised in the Delta. My upbringing and education have both taken me to many places, and heights in the career of education. I am very thankful for the opportunities that I have been afforded. I am beyond elated to be returning to KIPP Delta Public Schools to serve in the role of Director of Curriculum and Instruction. I have been dedicated to my passion for teaching and learning for the past 19 years, with a wide range of instructional and coaching experience in schools K-12, in both charter and traditional school settings. My educational journey began in the rural Mississippi Delta of Greenwood, MS in 2004. I had the opportunity to curate student growth and achievement and teacher-leader success in some of the most high-risk communities, that needed to be reminded of the potential that already lies within them. After starting my teaching career, I returned home to Helena in 2009 and joined KIPP as a founding teacher. I am a "KIPP Delta Legend" who proved the possible every year when given the opportunity to "grow kids."
From my humble beginnings in my old classroom in the train depot on Cherry St., to now the conference room at KDPS central office, I stay committed to my passion for teaching and learning by serving children at my best on their educational journeys because someone had to serve me. It is my due diligence that local and surrounding families receive the best quality educational experience provided in Delta. I will strive every day to help KIPP Delta educators be their very best for their current and future job roles. Keeping in my mind that when growing high performers more strength is added to our own pipeline to build better educational environments for students. As now an employee and once before a supportive parent, our mission is a part of who I am because I am forever a Kippster.
I bring a wealth of knowledge to the team in the areas of instructional leadership, student growth, and achievement in math and literacy, Response to Intervention systems, school culture, and data analysis. I have proven results, and I look forward to the work in striving for better schools in the KIPP Delta Region and Phillips County.
Teresa, a native Memphian is a dedicated and accomplished finance professional with over 15 years of experience in the charter school sector. She has a proven track record of managing financial operations, optimizing budgets, and ensuring the fiscal sustainability of educational institutions. Most recently, she served in the capacity of Director of Finance/HR for Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter Schools here in the Delta as well. Prior to that Teresa was the founding Director of Finance & Operations for Freedom Preparatory Academy and was instrumental in the growth of the network from 120 sixth grade students to two elementary school campuses, two middle school campuses, and one High School campus. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to align financial strategies with educational goals and student outcomes, Teresa is super excited to play a leading role in the “rebirth and renaissance” of the KIPP Delta region.
Theresa is thrilled to be rejoining the KIPP Team & Family through KIPP Delta’s partnership with vChief! She brings more than 15 years of cross-functional leadership experience in strategic planning, academic leadership, talent systems, organizational design, external affairs, and development. Through her work, Theresa strives to co-build affirming, equitable spaces where every member of a community can thrive.
Most recently, Theresa worked to envision and build a holistic talent ecosystem at DSST Public Schools—a high-performing network of 15 middle and high schools educating 6,000 students in Denver, CO. Her portfolio included defining network-wide vision and driving high-level strategic priorities with a focus on equitable systems design, leadership pipelines, programmatic structures, and professional development. Theresa served as a 2021 KIPP Foundation Leadership Design Fellow where she partnered to develop and scale organization-level systems and change management strategy. Previously, Theresa spent 8 years at KIPP DC teaching middle and elementary school, helping found a future National Blue Ribbon KIPP school, and serving on the KIPP DC regional team.
Originally from the Chicagoland area and calling both Washington, D.C. and Denver home, Theresa is an alumna of University of Pennsylvania (Master of Science in Education) and Marquette University (Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Justice & Peace Studies). Outside work, she can be found practicing yoga and backpacking around the globe.
Colleen currently splits her time between Boise, ID and New Orleans, LA and is thrilled to be a member of the KIPP Delta team. She has over 25 years of educational experience and her areas of expertise include coaching leaders, launching new organizations, writing charters, and replicating or expanding organizations.
In her career, she co-founded a charter school management organization (CMO), created strategic plans, managed finances, led large teams, developed curriculum, and served as a Special Education teacher, Assistant Principal, Program Director, and CEO. In her role as Director of KIPP's School Leadership Program, she designed, implemented, and evaluated a year-long leadership training program for future school leaders; including curriculum design, coaching, and performance evaluations to ensure quality skill development and knowledge acquisition. She served as CEO of ReNEW Schools, a CMO based in New Orleans that operated six charter schools and employed 600 people. As a result of her leadership, schools that had been designated as failing under the state's accountability system achieved significant growth.
Colleen holds Masters degrees in Special Education and Elementary Education from American University in Washington DC and a CAS in Educational Leadership from National-Louis University in Chicago.
Originally from Mound Bayou, Mississippi, LaToya Jones graduated with a bachelor's degree and licensure in special education from Delta State University. After ten years of service teaching in the Mississippi Delta, she joined KIPP Delta Public Schools as the special education case manager. Still committed to increasing her pedagogy, she became the grade-level chair while teaching sixth-grade math at KIPP Delta College Preparatory School. Ms. Jones now serves as school principal at KIPP Delta Elementary Literacy Academy and is a Miles Family Fellow. She brings a wealth of leadership skills, including instructional coaching, vision-setting, communication, and stakeholder management.
A graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., Erika Hubbard is the school principal at KIPP Blytheville Collegiate High. In 2014, Ms. Hubbard joined KIPP Blytheville Collegiate High as a founding teacher. Her passion for education and high expectations of students led her to become assistant principal. Her passion is driven by the notion and understanding that quality education is key to ensuring all students can lead a life of choice. Under her leadership, KIPP students have experienced consistent growth in ACT reading and English scores, an increase in student-earned college scholarships, and more students than ever before earning college credit while in high school. In addition to being school principal, Ms. Hubbard is a participant in the IMPACT Arkansas Educational Leadership Program and a fellow of the KIPP School Leadership Program.
Originally from Memphis, TN, Tamara Jordan is a highly skilled educator, non-profit leader, and community activist. She is a graduate of University of Memphis holding a bachelor's degree in Political Science as well as a master's degree in Education and a Masters of Business Administration. Ms. Jordan is currently a doctoral student in Education Philosophy. Specializing in culturally responsive frameworks, Ms. Jordan has served as a teacher, dean of students, and assistant principal of instruction prior to her current role as School Leader. Ms. Jordan is deeply passionate about mentorship and helping young people maximize their strengths to achieve their goals and be successful in all life has to offer.
My name is Valeria Boyd-Bostick, and I am delighted to be a part of the KIPP Delta family and serve as your new school director/principal. Our school community has dedicated, talented members committed to doing what is in the best interest of our scholars. We will continue to put scholars first at KIPP Delta Collegiate High School and work diligently to ensure their success.
My professional background is rooted in education, leadership, and community relations. For the past twenty years, I have worked in public education as a leader, teacher, assistant principal college professor, special populations coordinator and school student support director. This is my first year in Phillips County, and I look forward to using these collective experiences as your new principal.
In addition to my professional achievements, my greatest accomplishment is my family. I am a mother to an amazing college Sophomore, Shawna. As a parent, I always want what is best for my daughter and will work tirelessly to ensure your children have the best possible experiences at KIPP Delta Collegiate High School.
This fall, I plan to work closely with Mr. Whitfield Jones (Assistant Principal), Miss Lee (Instructional Facilitator), and Senior Leadership personnel to ensure a smooth transition. During this time, I will learn more about our school, community, and the unique needs of our scholars, faculty, and staff. I am committed to embracing the positive traditions and practices that are already in place at KIPP Delta Collegiate High School while working diligently to ensure success for the future. My motto is, "Scholars First, Every Day," and I believe all children should receive an exemplary education in an environment that is safe and conducive to learning. Together we can help our children excel and provide them with an education that is second to none. I am honored and humbled to serve as the new principal for KIPP Delta Collegiate High School and look forward to meeting our parents and community members.
I am excited about all we will accomplish together for our children and look forward to celebrating our collective success this school year.
A Memphis, Tennessee, Tammy Manning, received her bachelor’s degree at Tennessee State University, her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, at Freed-Hardeman University, and her Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership at Arkansas Stat University. Ms. Manning has served as an assistant director, teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, instructional advisor over the last 22 years. Ms. Manning now serves as school principal at KIPP Delta College Preparatory School, in Helena, West Helena. Ms. Manning believes that her work is rooted in the belief that a great education is foundational to life success. She strives everyday to ensure that she promotes excellence for all, as a commitment to closing the achievement gap for all the students that she serves