Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood announced today the appointment of three veteran educators to key leadership roles as part of the District’s ongoing organizational realignment.
The District named Dr. Tracy Barber and Lisa Wathen as regional assistant superintendents for Elementary, and Larry J. James as regional assistant superintendent for Enhanced Support.
All three appointments are effective July 1, 2026.
“Each of these leaders brings a unique, proven track record of instructional innovation and systemic excellence that is essential for our next chapter,” Yearwood said. “I am confident that their collaborative leadership will be a driving force in our mission to deliver equitable outcomes and academic success for every student in JCPS".
Driving excellence in elementary education
Barber’s and Wathen’s appointments signal a committed focus on instructional mastery and school-level support within the elementary landscape.
Dr. Tracy Barber
Barber will transition into this role from her current position as executive administrator of project management, where she promotes and assists with projects to drive achievement for all students and close achievement and opportunity gaps.
Prior to that, she served as an elementary principal for two decades. Barber led Dunn Elementary to a National Blue Ribbon designation and a top-tier "Blue" rating on the 2023 Kentucky Summative Assessment.
"I am especially excited to continue partnering with our principals—leaders who carry one of the most complex and impactful roles in our system," Barber said. "I look forward to supporting and collaborating with them to strengthen outcomes across all of our elementary schools."
Barber earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Spalding University, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Western Kentucky University, and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Spalding University. She also holds a Superintendent Certification from the University of Louisville.
Lisa Wathen
Wathen currently serves as the executive administrator of Academics, where she engineered the Instructional Systems Monitoring Tool to streamline school improvement planning.
During her 10-year tenure as principal of Bowen Elementary, she moved the school's statewide ranking from the 50th to the 93rd percentile in just three years. Her professional journey has been defined by the ability to bridge the gap between high-level district policy and measurable outcomes in the classroom, she said.
"Having dedicated my career to JCPS as both a school-level leader and a district executive, I am eager to leverage my expertise in instructional mastery and data-driven systems to lead elementary schools toward unprecedented student success," Wathen said.
Wathen earned an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Louisville. She also earned National Board Certification and was named the Kentucky Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2009.
Strengthening the enhanced support zone
Larry J. James—a leader with more than 19 years of experience in school transformation and education across urban, suburban, and rural systems—will join the district to lead the Enhanced Support region.
The JCPS Enhanced Support Zone serves schools that have been identified or have the potential to be identified under the Kentucky Accountability System as needing comprehensive support.
Throughout his career, James has served as an attendance aide, substitute teacher, teacher, counselor, assistant principal, principal, and senior district leader, including roles as deputy chief of student supports in Camden, New Jersey, and executive director of Alternative Education and Graduation Excellence in East Baton Rouge. He has also served as a leadership/instructional coach with the Bailey Education Group, LLC.
“This breadth of experience has allowed me to lead coordinated turnaround initiatives, integrate social-emotional supports with academic programming, and supervise school leaders through complex improvement cycles,” James said. “I am excited to collaborate with stakeholders across the Enhanced Support region to ensure high-quality educational opportunities for all students.”
James holds master’s degrees in Educational Leadership and Guidance and Counseling from Saint Thomas University in Florida and is bilingual in English and Spanish. He is scheduled to complete his Juris Doctor at Southern University Law Center in May. His background in both education and law strengthens his ability to navigate policy, advocacy, and compliance in support of schools and communities, he said.