Benita Barnes Young, Ed.D.
Vicksburg,Mississippi
Summary
Experienced education leader with strong focus on fostering collaborative environments and driving student success. Skilled in curriculum development, staff mentoring, and conflict resolution. Known for adaptability, reliability, and commitment to meeting evolving needs of both students and faculty. Equipped to make significant impact through effective team management and strategic planning.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Principal (9-12)
Claiborne County School District
10.2024 - 06.2025
- Analyzed statistical data trends and made recommendations for instructional improvements based on the district’s strategic plan
- Led, coordinated, and facilitated weekly ELA PLC meetings using observation and benchmark assessment data to guide teachers’ instructional practices
- Ensured ELA lesson plans aligned with Mississippi College and Career Ready Standards and provided actionable feedback based on sound professional judgement
- Introduced and demonstrated the usage of the new DRC assessment platform
- Adhered to and enforced procedures for effective student discipline in accordance with district guidelines and policies to ensure academic, social, and emotional success
- Made recommendations to the MTSS team regarding student attendance, discipline, and academic achievement
- Communicated effectively with parents via phone calls or text messaging using SchoolStatus
- Assigned ELA assessments and reviewed ELS benchmark data with teachers to identify areas of improvement
- Conducted classroom observations and enters data into MECCA Professional Growth System (PGS) Portal
District Literacy Coach (K-5)/Curriculum Coordinator/Talent Pipeline
Tensas Parish School Board
01.2020 - 06.2024
- Collaborated with teachers to analyze, diagnose, and implement evidence-based instructional strategies to improve academic outcomes for all students in grades K-12
- Planned and facilitated job-embedded professional development for ELA K-12 teachers
- Provided actionable feedback around instructional practices that facilitated teacher reflection and growth
- Conducted reading diagnostic and interim accuracy checks to measure skills mastery and monitored programs’ usage reports
- Modeled a variety of instructional techniques including the proper usage of instructional media
- Worked with teachers and the Special Education supervisor to identify the effectiveness of interventions
- Prepared, analyzed, and disaggregated formal and summative reading assessments for K-12 and Special Education personnel
- Organized and maintained proper record-keeping procedures for testing and reading programs
- Planned and presented curriculum-related information on the Science of Reading
- Authored and received the Laura Bush Library Grant
- Served as the district Pre-Kindergarten CLASS evaluator
- Actively participated as a lead instructional expert on the school’s Leadership Team
Superintendent
Madison Parish School District
01.2016 - 12.2019
- Created a five-year district Strategic Plan and made significant progress
- Increased the DPS to a “C” for the first time in over 2 decades in the history of the district
- Expanded academic Dual Enrollment courses to ninth graders through partnership with LA Delta Community College
- Initiated a cost-savings analysis for MPSD finance to balance the budget and increase the fund balance annually
- Managed an annual operating budget of approximately 20 million dollars
- Formulated systematic procurement practices and procedures for purchasing and reimbursements
- Maintained an excellent fiscal audit for 3 consecutive years
- Worked in conjunction with finance to establish and monitor federal and local grants
- Expanded the foreign language program to include Spanish and Chinese
- Supervised departments: Federal Programs, Child Nutrition, Technology, 21st Century, School-based Health, Special Services, Business/Finance, Transportation, and Maintenance
- Served as the expert instructional leader on various district and community committees
- Worked with local and state law enforcement to develop and revise the district’s crisis plan
- Comprised a team of leaders to support the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council (SACS CASI) AdvancEd accreditation process
Principal
Madison Parish School District
08.2010 - 12.2015
- Provided daily leadership for 32 instructional staff members and 307 students
- Analyzed READ 180, STAR, formative, and summative assessments to determine strengths and areas for needed improvement
- Developed and implemented the school budget procedures per local and state laws
- Selected school test coordinators and assigned proctors to ensure compliance with Louisiana’s Test Security Policy
- Monitored online instructional platform for usage and provided feedback to staff
- Conducted routine observations to provide research-based instructional practices to improve student performance
- Implemented advanced classes for 7th and 8th grade students, including Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Spanish I, and Keyboarding to earn Carnegie credits
- Established rigorous expectations and implemented a school-wide plan to decrease disciplinary referrals and increase faculty and student attendance
- Formulated a variety of committees to provide effective instructional strategies in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies
- Standardized performance by creating an employee handbook focused on adherence to school district policies and procedures
- Developed an instructional master schedule to include a block schedule for intervention in Language Arts and Mathematics for non-proficient students
Assistant Principal
Madison Parish School District
08.2009 - 07.2010
- Supervised and maintained a positive school climate of approximately 567 students
- Attended numerous literacy trainings and workshops
- Conducted instructional performance observations of all teaching staff
- Coordinated testing schedule and assigned administrators and proctors with site administrator
- Served as the campus backup site test administrator
Mathematics Teacher
Vicksburg Warren School District
08.2006 - 08.2009
- Supported the constructivist approach to teaching by implementing various learning methodologies
- Supplemented class lectures with technology to improve instructional performance
- Administered state mathematics testing following district policy
- Performed basic administrative duties such as recording daily attendance and grades, organizing students’ portfolios, assessing students, and providing individualized instructional assistance
- Facilitated team meetings focusing on improving student academic performance
- Participated in staff meetings and professional development
First Grade Teacher/Kindergarten
Madison Parish District
08.1999 - 07.2006
- Administered and supervised Brigance and DIBELS testing and Project Read intervention strategies
- Designed testing instruments to determine students’ level of knowledge and progression
- Maintained proper accommodation documentation for IEP compliance
- Provided after-school tutoring for low-performing students in reading and mathematics
- Participated in various educational workshops and seminars as a grade-level chairperson
- Assisted teachers with instructional strategies and interventions to promote student engagement
- Served as backup School Test Coordinator
Education
Ed.D. - Education Leadership/Curriculum and Instruction
Mississippi College
Clinton, MS12.2022
Ed.S. - Education Leadership
Mississippi College
Clinton, MS12.2012
M.Ed. - Educational Leadership
Mississippi College
Clinton, MS08.2009
Alternate Teacher Certification - Elementary Education
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, Louisiana05.2006
B.S. - Business Marketing
Southern University A&M College
Baton Rouge, Louisiana05.1991
Skills
- Proficient in MS Office 365
- Desktop Publishing
- Google Workspace
- Internet/Emails
- Google Applications
- Canvas
- Blackboard
Affiliations
- Louisiana Educators Association, 2013-2024
- Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2008-2021
- Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, 2016-2019
- Louisiana Association of School Executives, 2011-2021
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Member
Timeline
Assistant Principal (9-12)
Claiborne County School District
10.2024 - 06.2025
District Literacy Coach (K-5)/Curriculum Coordinator/Talent Pipeline
Tensas Parish School Board
01.2020 - 06.2024
Superintendent
Madison Parish School District
01.2016 - 12.2019
Principal
Madison Parish School District
08.2010 - 12.2015
Assistant Principal
Madison Parish School District
08.2009 - 07.2010
Mathematics Teacher
Vicksburg Warren School District
08.2006 - 08.2009
First Grade Teacher/Kindergarten
Madison Parish District
08.1999 - 07.2006
Ed.S. - Education Leadership
Mississippi College
M.Ed. - Educational Leadership
Mississippi College
Alternate Teacher Certification - Elementary Education
Louisiana Tech University
Ed.D. - Education Leadership/Curriculum and Instruction
Mississippi College
B.S. - Business Marketing
Southern University A&M College
Presentations
- Early Literacy for All (ELFA), Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA, June 2011
- Observation and Feedback, Leveraged Leadership, Tallulah, LA October 2013
- Differentiated Instruction, Mississippi College, Clinton, MS, July 2014
- Integrating Technology into Instruction, Madison Parish District Convocation PD 2014
- Professional Learning Communities (PLC), Tallulah, LA September 2014
- National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, Panelist, National Harbor, MD, March 2018
- Setting S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Goals, St. Joseph, LA, November 2021
- English Language Arts Assessment Guides, St. Joseph, LA, January 2022
- Establishing a School Literacy Plan, Tensas Elementary, February 2022
- DIBELS and IRLA Data Analysis, Tensas Parish, May 2022
- Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) ELA and Writing Standards, Claiborne County, 2024-2025
- Google Applications, Claiborne County, 2024
Awards
School Building Level Committee Co-chairperson, 2004-2006, Team Leader, 7th Grade Department 2008, Principal Leader of Madison Parish School District (2013-2015), Louisiana COMPASS Highly Effective School Leader (2013-2019), Nominated Principal of the Year, Madison Parish School District (2015-2016), Madison Parish Chamber of Commerce, Member (2016-2019), Louisiana Association of School Superintendents By-Laws Committee, October 2017, Graduate School Dean’s List- 2008-2009; 2011-2012; 2014 – 2022
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