s
Administrator
spotlight
OF THE YEAR
Houghton's Hands-On Support, Data-Driven Goals Foster Success Amanda Gronewold
T
he Mississippi Department
in testing scores and proficiency levels
of Education (MDE) named
in the past five years.
Debra Houghton, the prin-
cipal at Mannsdale Upper Elementary School (MUES) in the Madison County
Concerned by her students’ proficiency levels in reading and math after the school’s first year of instruc-
School District, the Mississippi
tion, Houghton set aggressive goals to
Administrator of the Year for 2020.
improve those percentages.
Houghton has served as the prin-
The work paid off. The school
cipal for MUES since it was estab-
increased its proficiency in reading
lished in 2015. There, her impact on
score by almost 16% and its profi-
the school, which houses grades 3-5,
“That data shows that our focus on
ciency in math score by more than
proficiency is working to help our stu-
is evident in its drastic improvements
23%. MUES also improved from a B to
dents,” she said.
an A in the MDE’s statewide accountability system.
While data is important to Houghton, her leadership goes beyond scores and numbers. Lauren Shotts, a math teacher at MUES, expressed admiration for Houghton’s hands-on, supportive approach. Houghton’s selection as Administrator of the Year came to her as no surprise. “She is a distinguished leader,” Shotts said. “She meets with her teachers individually to come up with personal goals, she always asks what she can do to help us and she has those Principal Debra Houghton (right) of Mannsdale Upper Elementary School (MUES) in the
uncomfortable conversations with her
Madison County School District (MCSD) is pictured with MCSD Assistant Superintendent
teachers when they are needed.”
Edith Mitchell (left) and MUES Physical Education Coach Rolando Roman after Roman was awarded a Nissan grant in 2020. School Focus
Shotts also lauded Houghton’s drive to create new initiatives to help their
10
Winter 2021
