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He has been the associate principal of Martin Luther King Academy of Excellence in Lexington since 2016 
By Toni Konz Tatman | JCPS Communications
Vaughn Little has been selected as the next principal of Minor Daniels Academy.
Little has spent the past two years serving as the associate principal of Martin Luther King Academy of Excellence, an alternative program for middle and high school students in Fayette County. Prior to that, he has worked as a teacher, student engagement coach, guidance counselor, pathways coach, and as the assistant vice president of Student Affairs and director of Residence Life at Kentucky State University.
"Dr. Little has extensive experience in the alternative school setting, and we look forward to welcoming him to our team," said Glenn Baete, the assistant superintendent of high schools for Jefferson County Public Schools.
His first day at Minor Daniels is Monday, Oct. 8. He replaces Don Dillard, who took another position over the summer to become a supervisor of the district's West Louisville satellite office.
"I am excited about this opportunity because it will allow me to use every ounce of my gifts to communicate with students, teachers, parents, and stakeholders," Little said. "At Minor Daniels, I truly believe we are in a position to help guide our young people to be productive citizens for the rest of their lives."
Minor Daniels is the district's alternative school for middle and high school students, who are referred to the school on an individual basis. While at Minor Daniels, students are engaged in an academically rigorous and therapeutically supportive learning environment that helps them improve their academic achievement and facilitate behavior transformation.
Little was raised by a single mother in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In high school, he played football, wrestled, and ran track. He attended Alabama State University on a football scholarship.
"I have had a lot of great teachers and coaches in my life," he said. "So many people gave me a foundation for understanding and appreciating life. My pursuit of happiness has been education for a long time. You never stop learning."
Little says he understands where many at-risk students are coming from because he has been there before.
"I was given so many opportunities and chances myself," he said. "I was homeless multiple times; we had to figure out a way to make it. If it were not for the various schools I attended and the educators in my life, I don't know if we would have made it as a family."
Little said he looks forward to meeting with teachers and staff to look at the school's overall mission and "see if we can come together with a true purpose of helping our young people succeed."
"I want to bring in community members who are willing to step up to the plate and be supportive with what we are trying to do," he said. "Minor Daniels is a school that serves children from across the entire city, and we have the opportunity to redeem them and get them back on track."
Little earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Alabama State University, a master's degree in counseling and human development from Troy University, a master's degree in learning and behavior disorders from Asbury University, and a doctorate in leadership education from the University of the Cumberlands.
He and his wife, Stacy, are parents to three daughters--Kennedy, Karington, and MaKenzie.
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