Tioka Ivory named principal of Chancey Elementary School

She will start her new role on Dec. 2 

head and shoulders photo of Tioka Ivory

By Toni Konz Tatman | JCPS Communications

Tioka Ivory was selected to be the new principal of Chancey Elementary School by the school's site-based decision making council on Monday night.

Ivory began her career 17 years ago with Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) as a teacher at Dunn Elementary School. She has also taught science at Western Middle School and has been a science resource teacher. For the past seven years, she has been the assistant principal of Chancey.

She will start Dec. 2 and replaces Ronda Cosby, who will serve as principal of the district's new Females of Color STEAM Academy.

"Mrs. Ivory is an avid learner who thrives on change and positive outcomes for all students, teachers, staff members, and parents," said Joe Leffert, an assistant superintendent of elementary schools for the district. "She knows Chancey’s school community has tremendous power to positively impact each student. The future is bright for the community that Chancey serves."

Ivory said she is looking forward to utilizing her leadership skills along with her teaching experiences to lead a collaborative team whose mission is to prepare students for academic success, life skills success and transition success as students go to middle school.

"I am most looking forward to seeing students achieve," she said. "Throughout my experiences as an educator, I have found that despite a child's background, the school community has tremendous power in positively impacting students and more specifically, student achievement. These experiences have taught me the importance of advocating for all students."

Ivory said she is also excited to continue to work with the teachers at Chancey to enhance standards-based instruction with an emphasis on personalized learning.

"I truly believe that when you personalize learning, you are also ensuring equity because you are reaching individual students," she said. 

Ivory earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and her master's degree in educational administration from the University of Louisville. 

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This article was originally published by JCPS on Tuesday, Nov 26, 2019.