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The program seeks to prepare current employees to become strong school building leaders 
By Toni Konz Tatman | JCPS Communications
Twenty-three educators in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) have been selected to be part of the second cohort of the district's Principal Pipeline Program and will go through rigorous training to prepare them to become strong school leaders.
A total of 74 people applied to be part of the program this year, said Carmen Colemen, the district's chief academic officer.
"Our goal with this program is to make sure we have a very well-prepared group of leaders who are equipped to step directly into the principal role in JCPS," Coleman said. "We have designed the content of these leadership sessions to help these educators be as prepared as possible to successfully transition into this role in the near future."
Training will begin in November and will continue through the summer. Successful program participants will earn recommendations as strong candidates for future administrative openings in the district.
The candidates will participate in sessions that range from the importance of equity and cultural competence to budgeting and hiring.
"They will also work directly with and learn from current principals in the district as well as from those who are in district leadership roles," Coleman said.
Conni Strange, an assistant principal at Eisenhower Elementary School, is among those who applied and was selected to be part of the second cohort.
"I look forward to the opportunity to learn from other experienced leaders so that I can continue my professional growth and preparation in order to be a success building principal," Strange said. "I am encouraged by the positive changes happening in our district and I am honored to learn from those that are responsible for the positive impact that these changes are making on JCPS students. I can’t wait to get started."
Last year, 21 educators were selected to be part of the principal pipeline program.
Margie Eckerle, director of Administrator Recruitment and Development for JCPS, said four of those educators, Marcia Carmichael-Murphy, LaTonya Frazier-Goatley, Karen Waggoner and Sheri Harris have since been promoted to leadership roles.
Carmichael-Murphy is the principal of Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary School; Frazier-Goatley is an assistant principal at W.E.B. DuBois Academy; Waggoner is the principal at Jacob Elementary School and Harris is an educational recovery specialist with the Kentucky Department of Education.
The second cohort for the JCPS Principal Pipeline includes the following:
- Elaine Abantha, digital innovation leader with Computer Education Services
- Kara Ammerman, district student relations specialist
- DeLorean Burton, education recovery specialist at Maupin Elementary School
- Brandon Cobb, assistant principal at Stuart Academy
- Erin Coyle, assistant principal at Fairdale Elementary School
- Danielle Doelling, district resource teacher
- Jill Durham, assistant principal at Blue Lick Elementary School
- Jenny Edelen, assistant principal at Louisville Male High School
- Jeffrey Gossett, interim principal at Valley High School
- Rebecca Haynes, assistant principal at Camp Taylor Elementary School
- Leslie Hicks, assistant principal at Gilmore Lane Elementary School
- Michael Hill, assistant principal at Goldsmith Elementary School
- Tioka Ivory, assistant principal at Chancey Elementary School
- Carolyn Jessie, assistant principal at Rutherford Elementary School
- Jamiera Johnson, assistant principal at Engelhard Elementary School
- Charita Kimbrough, assistant principal at Farnsley Middle School
- Jeannie Lett, assistant principal at Iroquois High School
- Michael Losey, goal clarity coach at Goldsmith Elementary School
- Marlon Miller, assistant principal at Carter Traditional Elementary School
- Tonkeyta Rogers, assistant principal at Ballard High School
- Michelle Seadler, assistant principal at Crums Lane Elementary School
- Conni Strange, assistant principal at Eisenhower Elementary School
- Rachel Works, assistant principal at Tully Elementary School
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