Phone: (731) 664-2500
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Dr. Teresa McSweeney
Chief Innovation Officer
McSweeney, who began her education career as an English teacher at Jackson Central-Merry High School and later served as the Principal at Rose Hill School, has a track record of bringing new ideas to JMCSS. In 2020, McSweeney started the district's first cyber school, Jackson Academic STEAM Academy (JASA). Then in 2021, she was selected to create the JMCSS Innovation Department. A year later, McSweeney was promoted to the role of Chief Innovation Officer.
"Great things are happening in my hometown," McSweeney said. "I want to be part of something that will have an impact on the future." As the Chief Innovation Officer, McSweeney will assist the district in rethinking school, providing opportunities for students, and overseeing grant funds. She is also committed to bringing in the latest technology to prepare students for competition in the digital workforce.
Phone: (731) 506-2625
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Dr. Molly M. Plyler
District STEM & Computer Science Director
Returning to the Jackson-Madison County School System, formerly serving as the Marketing & Entrepreneurship Teacher at Liberty Technology Magnet High School, Plyler is the Director of STEM & Computer Science. Plyler also serves as a Code.org CSD and CSF Facilitator with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network and Tennessee Department of Education. Other professional highlights include being named the 2009 NABT's Outstanding Biology Teacher of TN; writing curriculum for TVA, TSIN, and Code.org; receiving a special invitation from Princeton University to attend the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Molecular Biology Summer Institute; and developing educator & student Computer Science and Robotics workshops at theCO and Jackson Christian School.
"It is an honor to return to the district and pursue cutting-edge opportunities for our students and faculty," Plyler said. "We are excited to see the Innovation Impact Institutes become a model emulated by other school districts around the state." Plyler's role will work directly with district teachers, students, and industry partners to advance JMCSS STEM and Computer Science opportunities.
Phone: 731-215-2484
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mrs. Nekita Johnson, M.P.S., M.S.
CTE Workforce Development Director
Johnson relocated to Jackson, TN, from Roswell, GA, to serve as the JMCSS CTE Workforce Development Director. In addition to her educational experience in Georgia, she has 20 years of experience in Tennessee classrooms as a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) Advisor. She has six years of experience in educational leadership as a former Career Technical Education (CTE) Director, CTE Coordinator, College and Career Readiness Coordinator, and Extended Learning Director. Other career highlights include being a Service-Learning Coordinator; a Work-Based Learning Coordinator; a Tennessee Real Estate Agent; and holding a graduate certificate in Strategic Leadership. Johnson is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Instructional Design and Technology.
Johnson stated, "As a lifelong learner, I continue to advance my spiritual, personal, and professional development, earn industry credentials, and elevate my level of education. As a training and development professional, I am continuously motivated to prepare our youth for college matriculation and to transition into careers, prepare adults through workforce development strategies and professional development workshops, and build strong relationships and partnership pipelines to support our youth and adults in Jackson. I have been a fan of JMCSS for almost a decade and am forever grateful to now be on the JMCSS team."
Phone: (731) 506-2337
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mrs. Katrina Tate-Taylor, B.A.
Innovation Impact Coordinator
Taylor, a proud Lane alumna, comes to the Department of Innovation from Lane College as their Student Success Specialist. She will serve JMCSS as the Innovation Impact Coordinator. Taylor has a long history of working for higher education institutes and aiding pre-college students in their academic endeavors. She is also a certified Global Career Development Facilitator.
"I'm very appreciative in everything I do, so when it comes to the Innovation Impact Institute partners, I get excited about the opportunities coming to our students," says Taylor. "It brightens my day in so many ways to see how the students change and evolve each year." Taylor's role will coordinate with JMCSS students, faculty, and impact partners to cultivate employability skills and workforce readiness.
Phone: (731) 410-6346
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mrs. Michelle McMillian, M.Ed.
Innovation Project Coordinator
McMillian joined the Innovation team after serving as a high school math and AP Statistics teacher for 13 years in east TN. As the Innovation Project Coordinator, McMillian will assist with the fiscal and logistical components of the district's Innovation Impact Institutes.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to join JMCSS in giving our students diverse and innovative pathways to equip them with the necessary skills and confidence to lead the workforce of tomorrow," states McMillian.
Phone: (731) 780-7435
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Mr. Nicholas Harris, M.Ed.
LOOP Coordinator
Harris brings his expertise in industry and the classroom to provide work-based learning opportunities. LOOP allows JMCSS students to earn school credit and gain valuable on-the-job experience during school hours. Harris also works closely with the district industry partners to determine how work-based learning opportunities can be expanded to benefit students.
