Jefferson City School District announces new South Elementary principal
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Jefferson City School District announced in a Monday press release that it has hired Keshia LaVergne to be the principal of South Elementary next school year.
LaVergne will succeed Teri Tillinghast, who will be teaching third grade at Lawson Elementary.
“As a building principal, I believe strongly in creating and maintaining an inclusive culture where teacher and student growth is recognized and celebrated,” LaVergne said in a press release. “My passion for results drives me to be the best visionary leader I can be through my commitment to improving both student and teacher performance. I am very much looking forward to joining the South Elementary family.”
LaVergne started out as a science teacher 20 years ago at Ann O’Donnell Middle School in Alief, Texas. She then taught at high schools in Louisiana, West Virginia and Texas, according to the press release.
From 2016-19 LaVergne spent time developing curriculum and creating checkpoint exams as a Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills alignment facilitator for the Mesquite Independent School District before becoming the assistant principal at Bedford Galloway Elementary in 2019. She has been the lead principal at W.O. Gray Elementary in Mesquite, Texas since 2021.
She is a member of the National Science Teachers Association, National Education Association, Science Teachers Association of Texas, Texas Science Education Leadership Association, Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association and Texas Alliance of Black School Educators.
LaVergne received her bachelor of science in secondary education from Southern University and A&M College in 2002. She holds two master’s degrees: one in educational technology leadership from McNeese State University and one in educational administration from Lamar University.
LaVergne and her husband Douglas -- who was recently named as the dean of the College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences at Lincoln University -- will be relocating to Jefferson City with their three sons.
