For the District

This week we’re visiting with former North Side basketball great Sha Brooks. One of the most decorated student‑athletes in North Side history, Sha finished her career with 2,030 points, 593 rebounds, and 487 assists while leading the Lady Indians to the 2004 and 2005 state tournaments. She continued her career at the University of Florida, where she earned All‑SEC Freshman honors and was named All...

We're sitting down with former JMCSS educator Mona Lisa Lanier to celebrate her lasting impact on both the district and the Jackson community as a longtime dance instructor. We'll discuss her nearly three decades of service with JMCSS, the work she continues today through her dance studio, and hear stories from her family's popular 1970s and 1980s singing group, Lanier and Company, also known as T...

Dr. Wesley Johnson is joining Jackson-Madison County Schools as the new Chief Portfolio Officer. A former South Side Hawk, he returns to West Tennessee after building an impressive career in the charter school sector. In this episode, Dr. Johnson shares his journey from growing up in Denmark, Tennessee, to helping shape educational opportunities in the Memphis-Shelby County area over the past deca...

We’re breaking the rules on Episode 112 by talking about the first day of school right after the year ends. You’ll hear from two incoming principals — Dr. DeCourtney Turner at JCT and Priscilla Duvall at Andrew Jackson — as they share what it’s like to step into new leadership roles. Former Haywood County Superintendent Teresa Russell explains why she’s choosing JMCSS, and Greater Jackson Chamber...

In this episode, we explore the power of Career and Technical Education at North Side High School. Host Greg Hammond sits down with Frank J. Bohanek, Associate Instructor of Automotive Technology for both North Side and TCAT Jackson, and Danielle Shaw‑Jones Grant, North Side’s BioSTEM teacher. Together, they share how hands‑on learning, industry‑aligned training, and real‑world problem‑solving are...

This morning we’re visiting with Tony Black — a name synonymous with Jackson athletics and community recreation. You know him from his years as Director of the TR White Sportsplex and, for the past two decades, as the Executive Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Jackson. Today, we’re excited to share some big news: Tony is bringing his leadership and experience to JMCSS, where he wil...

Team 38301C High Voltage from Madison Academic Magnet High School is gearing up for the global stage as they head to the 2026 VEX V5 Robotics World Championship in St. Louis. We’ll preview the event with Engineering Design teacher and robotics coach Kyle Wallace, along with High Voltage team members Landon Smith, Nicholas Blondet, and Elijah Benson.

Today, we’re discussing the LOOP (Local Options and Opportunities Program). This initiative is a unique work-based learning opportunity in which students attend a modified school day for academic credit, followed by a work-based experience at their industry placement for the remainder of the day. This experience takes place at the industry site instead of the traditional high school. Our guests in...

Dr. JacQuene Rainey, President of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson (& JCM Class of 1990 graduate) joins us for Episode 106 of the JMCSS podcast—For the District. She’ll discuss the three most popular programs on the TCAT campus and share what fueled her journey from manufacturing to higher education.