Memphis, Tenn. - Shelby County Schools will kick-off the 2014-2015 school year with an overhaul of the district’s Academic Department in order to increase student achievement. The new structure includes the realignment of upper level staff, the addition of more direct support staff for schools and the advice of one of the top academic leaders in the nation, Dr. Carol Johnson. 

Based on feedback from school principals, Instructional Leadership Directors (ILDs), or principal coaches, have been instrumental in raising the bar in teaching and leadership instruction. As a result, SCS will realign its ILDs and repurpose the former regional superintendent positions to oversee three key areas of growth, as envisioned by Superintendent Hopson: academic support, academic programming and academic operations.

“Our aggressive academic agenda redirects resources to affect change where it matters most, in the classroom”, said Superintendent Dorsey Hopson. “With this restructuring, SCS will become more responsive, efficient and innovative, resulting in greater support for our leaders and teachers, and ultimately, our students.”

Currently, the district is actively seeking a Chief Academic Officer (CAO) to oversee the department. In the interim, the district welcomes Dr. Carol R. Johnson to serve in an advisory role for the next 60 to 90 days. In addition to her tenure in Memphis, Johnson’s accomplished track record includes serving as superintendent in Boston and Minneapolis, and receiving the Council of Great City Schools, Richard R. Green Award, the highest award in urban public education.  As an advisor, Johnson will assist in the search for a permanent CAO, as well as help guide the district’s academic efforts to implement Common Core and address academic achievement challenges in Shelby County. 

“We proudly welcome Dr. Johnson, a national educational leader, back home,” Hopson says. “Her dedication to urban public education and the children of Memphis and Shelby County are undeniable. I’m eager to work with her as we push forward for a successful school year.”