By CATHRYN
CARTWRIGHT
Herald Reporter
Manchester Academy will welcome a new high school principal to the fold for the 2018-2019 school year.
Starting on Aug. 9, long-time educator Jana Bardwell will begin her administrative duties as a veteran of the education world with over 28 years of experience.
Bardwell obtained her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Educational Leadership from Delta State University.
Many may remember Bardwell from her time working as an administrator for the Yazoo City Municipal School District. For 24 years she served as an assistant principal for third through eighth grade at Woolfolk Elementary and Middle School, and she was also an assistant principal for McCoy Elementary. She later served as the Curriculum, Professional Development and Testing Director with the central office at the Yazoo City Municipal School District.
Bardwell recently retired from the public school sector after working four years as the principal of Yazoo County High School and is looking forward to beginning the next phase of her career at Manchester Academy
Bardwell said the benefit of having a career in the education world is watching students grow and establish themselves as young adults and helping them choose the right path for success.
"I love to see my former students and friends as I go about my daily routines," she said. "Whether it’s in grocery stores, restaurants or a drive-thru window, the professional relationships I have built will remain with me constantly."
Bardwell said she made the decision to switch to the private school sector because of her two teenage sons who attend school at Manchester, one of whom will be a senior this year.
"I have worked in my career every year since they were born," she said. "It was time for me to be with my own children since they were about to leave the nest."
As the new secondary principal for Manchester, Bardwell said her goals include raising ACT scores so that more scholarships can be provided to students, providing teachers with more training and professional development opportunities, and giving students more opportunities to be invested in their school.
Though Bardwell will be working in a new school this year, her position on education will not change.
"I see my job as being the best role model I can be and supporting students in every way I can for them to be successful," she said. "All parents want the best for their children, and my position will not change just because I left the public sector."
After 24 years as an administrator in the local public schools, Bardwell has made many memories and wishes them success in the future.
"A part of my heart will always belong to both of these districts," she said. "A special thanks to those who I have worked with over the years and will remain in my heart forever, including Lula Starling, Joe Smith, Dr. Georgia Ingram, Becky Fisher, Tom Taylor, Rebecca Berry and Phil Turner."
