Today, FirstLine Schools announced that after an in depth search and interview process involving both internal and external candidates, Shanda Gentry has accepted an offer to be the next Chief Academic Officer at FirstLine Schools. Congratulations to Shanda for demonstrating excellence in her current role of School Director at Arthur Ashe, which led to this promotion.
Shanda has over 15 years of experience in educational leadership, curriculum development, and strategic planning. She has a proven track record of enhancing academic programs, fostering faculty development, and increasing student achievement outcomes.
Since joining FirstLine in 2018, Shanda has coached and developed her team to boost student achievement, which led to Ashe receiving a “Top Gains” designation for the 2022-23 school year. She sets the vision and expectations for a positive school culture, with a focus on creating joyful and warm learning environments with high expectations for all students.
Prior to her current role, Shanda served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Dorothy Height Charter School (formerly Paul Habans Charter School), where she developed, delivered, and supported small group instruction, leading to increased test scores. She also has experience as the Principal of Benjamin E. Mays Preparatory School, where she refined teacher development protocols and hiring practices, leading to a significant increase in the school’s state ranking.
Shanda holds a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the same institution. She is certified in Early Childhood Education (PK-3) and Educational Leadership. Shanda is actively involved in professional organizations such as the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE), and the Greenhouse E3 Fellowship.
Similarly, Tom Shepley, our esteemed Chief Academic Officer, will be concluding his time at FirstLine in the summer of 2024. Tom’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the academic excellence that defines FirstLine Schools. His dedication to fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation has left an indelible mark on our community. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Tom for his tireless efforts in elevating the educational experience for our students. Tom has been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of FirstLine Schools, crafting robust priority plans that have provided clear guidance and focus for the entire organization. His collaborative efforts with the greater FirstLine team have resulted in the successful implementation of systematic phonics instruction in lower grades, targeted reading interventions across all grades, and innovative math protocols. These initiatives have not only enhanced the overall educational experience but have also led to significant gains in student performance metrics.
Students pose as sweet potatoes!
