Mrs. Jessica Newman - Mrs. Newman is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from The University of Memphis. Prior to entering into the field of education, she served for 5 years in the field of healthcare as a Registered Nurse.

Mrs. Newman began her career at Ripley Primary School in July of 2011 as a Physical Education Teacher where she served until June of 2015. During her time as a teacher, she was named RPS Teacher of the Year.  In 2015, Mrs. Newman transitioned to Curriculum Coordinator at RPS and served in that capacity for 2 years before transitioning to assistant principal in 2017.   Mrs. Newman has also received the Tennessee Association for Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) Administrator Appreciation Award in 2018 and served as the Chairman of the Pre-K Board for TAHPERD from 2014-2015. Throughout her service in Lauderdale County, Mrs. Newman has displayed a strong desire to make decisions that are in the best interests of all students.

Ms. Nicole Cherry  - Ms. Cherry is a graduate of Ripley High School and spent eleven years of her career as an ELA Teacher at Ripley Elementary School. She was named Ripley Elementary School Teacher of the Year for the 2020-2021 school year and recently served as a Teacher Leader for the 2023-2024 school year at Ripley Elementary School.

Ms. Cherry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from The University of Tennessee at Martin, a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Lipscomb University. Ms. Cherry is a product of the district’s leadership development partnership with Lipscomb University, a grant program aimed at growing local, aspiring administrators into qualified and viable administrative candidates.

Ms. Rhonda Waldo has been employed by the Lauderdale County School System since 1998. She taught third grade at Ripley Elementary School for 10 years. She obtained her associate's degree from Northwest Mississippi Community College and bachelor's degree from Union University.