The Mississippi Department of Education recently announced the 29 members of the State Superintendent of Education’s inaugural Principal Advisory Council. Council members, who will serve through the 2021-22 school year, include Kosciusko Lower Elementary Principal Michelle Nowell.The Council (PAC) is expected to provide direct input to Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education, about issues facing Mississippi schools and seek to improve education throughout all of the state’s elementary, middle and high schools.“The Principal Advisory Council will be an important feedback loop for me understanding what is working and what needs improvement in schools,” Wright said in a press release. “I look forward to working with these thoughtful and engaging school leaders to improve educational opportunities for students.”Nowell said she was honored to selected to serve and that she will offer her long experience in elementary education to the group.“I think with 34 years of experience, I think that's going to really contribute something to the group,” she said. “This will be an opportunity for us to be able to share, and make sure she's aware of the challenges we are facing in this community, and our school system — in general, but especially going through a pandemic. Of course, I'll represent our faculty and staff and our school district, but also just the profession in general.”Nowell said she is glad Wright wants to hear directly from administrators in the field.“We will offer her feedback on MDA as well as their initiatives, and also the Mississippi State Board of Education — what they are talking about, what they're already doing, and then the future moving forward,” said Nowell. “The reason why she wanted to do this is to hear directly from the principals that are actually in the middle of all this on a regular basis, and not just hear something secondhand.”While she is happy to offer her point of view, the principal is equally looking forward to the opportunity to learn from others.“I'm excited about it. I also think it'll be great to hear from other parts of the state, and what they're doing and how they're handling different situations, such as virtual school,” she said. “Being on this council will allow me to get a better perspective of what everybody in the state of Mississippi is facing and to listen to how the smallest of the small districts to the largest of the large are doing things.”
