John Shows
Magee
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with a proven track record at Simpson County Academy, driving academic excellence and operational efficiency. Expert in curriculum enhancement and faculty development, fostering a culture of collaboration. Skilled in contract negotiations and customer relationship management, achieving significant improvements in student performance and school ratings.
Overview
1
1
Certification
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of School
Simpson County Academy
06.2025 - Current
- Led the daily operations of a 625-student independent Christian school, providing strategic leadership in academics, student life, athletics, and campus operations.
- Implemented instructional and operational initiatives that strengthened school culture, improved ACT scores, accountability, and enhanced communication with faculty, students, and families.
- Developed and implemented curriculum enhancements to improve student engagement and academic performance.
- Directed faculty development and data-driven instructional practices while overseeing budgeting, accreditation, enrollment, and school safety initiatives.
Superintendent
Pearl River County School District
12.2022 - 06.2025
- Directed daily operations to ensure compliance with educational regulations and district policies.
- Led school district to its first A level rating and maintained that rating for 3 years.
- Oversaw budget management, ensuring efficient allocation of resources across multiple departments.
- Led a 3,300+ student, four schools with responsibility for a multi-million-dollar budget, more than 500 employees, and all district operations.
- Implemented professional development programs to improve staff performance and student outcomes.
Principal
West Lincoln Attendance Center
06.2016 - 12.2022
- Led the transformation of West Lincoln Attendance Center from a C-rated school to its first A rating in school history through strategic instructional leadership and data-driven school improvement.
- Established a culture of academic excellence by aligning curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development with measurable student achievement goals.
- Supervised and developed faculty through coaching, evaluation, and collaborative leadership, resulting in sustained instructional improvement.
- Directed all aspects of school operations, including curriculum, personnel, budgeting, student discipline, and community engagement.
Principal
Lincoln County School District
07.2008 - 06.2016
- Developed and implemented curriculum enhancements to improve student engagement and academic performance.
- Facilitated professional development sessions for faculty to promote best teaching practices and collaboration.
- Led strategic planning initiatives to align educational objectives with community needs and stakeholder expectations.
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring compliance with educational standards and regulations across the institution.
Education
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership And Management
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS07-2008
Bachelor of Arts - History
Belhaven University
Jackson, MSSkills
- Facilities management
- Classroom management
- Strategic leadership
- Parental communication
- Teacher Evaluation and Coaching
- Professional Development
- Student Achievement
- Strategic Planning
- Budget Development and Financial Management
- Board Relations
- School Safety and Crisis Management
Accomplishments
- Awarded Principal of the Year in 2013 and 2015.
- Led West Lincoln Attendance Center to its first A rating and top ten in the state in reading and math in 2022.
- Led Pearl River County School District to its first A District Rating from 2022-2025.
Certification
Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Educator License (2031)
- Educational Leadership
- History
- English
- Physical Education
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Educator License (2031)
- Educational Leadership
- History
- English
- Physical Education
- Health Education
Professional Development
- Belhaven University (2021) – Led a professional development session for aspiring educators on effective classroom practices, including lesson planning, instructional delivery, classroom management, and student assessment.
- Mississippi Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) Conference (2022) – Led a conference session for school leaders on using data-driven decision-making to improve school performance and achieve exceptional academic results.
- Gulf Coast Education Intiative Consortium (GCEIC) Leadership Conference (2024) – Presented a professional learning session for principals and assistant principals on educator evaluations, instructional leadership, and data-driven decision-making to improve student achievement.
Timeline
Head of School
Simpson County Academy
06.2025 - Current
Superintendent
Pearl River County School District
12.2022 - 06.2025
Principal
West Lincoln Attendance Center
06.2016 - 12.2022
Principal
Lincoln County School District
07.2008 - 06.2016
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership And Management
University of Southern Mississippi
Bachelor of Arts - History
Belhaven University