About Kathleen
Dr. Kathleen Grigsby graduated from the University of Mississippi with degrees in Elementary Education (B.A.) and Curriculum and Instruction (M.A.). She also earned specialist and doctoral degrees in Educational Leadership from Mississippi College. Dr. Grigsby joined the SOE Board of Advisors in the Fall of 2020.
Consequently, educational achievement and academic excellence constantly became a primary focus, leading to her desire to empower others to be lifelong learners. Dr. Grigsby believes educators must desire to teach and lead each child to his or her maximum potential through a whole-child approach. Educators should balance the focus on academic achievement with an emphasis on promoting all children’s long-term development and success. The result of such an approach is each student is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.
Dr. Grigsby’s central community involvement includes serving as a commissioner on the governor and mayoral selected Better Together Commission for Jackson Public School District and three AdvancED/Cognia Review Committees. In both roles, she partnered with local citizens, area organizations and institutions, regional and national education leaders, and experts to help make decisions that positively impact all children. She led efforts to create educational transformation in schools by identifying assets and gaps with specific recommendations on what is needed to develop suitable learning conditions for all children to prosper academically and socially.
Dr. Grigsby’s academic credentials include a doctorate and specialist from Mississippi College in Educational Leadership, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education from The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). In May 2022, Dr. Grigsby completed the Prospective Superintendent’s Leadership Academy through the Mississippi School Boards Association. Dr. Grigsby’s most significant contributions and accomplishments while in the profession include being the first graduate from Mississippi College’s doctoral program, increasing the scores and accountability grade levels of the schools she served as principal and mentored, as well as being a part of the school’s name change process from Jefferson Davis Magnet to Barack H. Obama Magnet.
Dr. Grigsby is clear in her focus on student achievement. As principal at Marshall Elementary, she moved the school from an F rating to a C rating in three years. As principal at Davis Magnet, she has achieved top rankings in student proficiency every year. Of the many areas that helped Davis Magnet achieve an A rating accountability status, she is most proud of the growth of almost 100 points in 2017, leading to a number-one ranking. During her leadership, Davis Magnet has received the 2018 PREPS Value Added Award in MAAP Reading and Math, the 2017 PREPS Value Added Award in MAAP Math, and the 2016 Highest Proficiency in MAAP Reading. In 2015, the school also received the PREPS Value Added Award for ELA and Math. Not only does she provide opportunities for students to excel academically, but she also solicits support from the staff and community to host enrichment activities after school, including American Sign Language, Spanish, STEM, Girls on the Run, Golfing for Guys, Arts and Crafts, Basketball, Pep Squad, Drama, Tennis, Gardening, Desktop Publishing, Chess, Swimming, Ambassadors, and Beta Club. Dr. Grigsby personally teaches sign language classes and swim classes. She also volunteered her time with her husband as Jackson Public School’s Swim Coach. Most recently, she joined the clinical staff of Columbia University to coach those who aspire to become principals.
Dr. Grigsby was recognized as 2022 W.I.S.H. Society Honoree (Make-A-Wish), 2021 Empowered Women Empower Women Recognition (Brown Girls, Inc.), 2021 Homage Recognition (The Profound Brown), 2020 Mississippi College Distinguished Alumna- Department of Teacher Education and Leadership, and Jackson Mississippi Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated’s Wonder Woman of the month in January 2019. She was selected as Jackson Public School District’s 2018 Administrator of the Year and Mississippi Congressional District 2 Administrator of the Year. She has also been a Life Changer Award Nominee. Additionally, she was one of four nominated to the 2018 University of Mississippi School of Education Hall of Fame. She is the youngest person to be selected for this honor. Her philosophy of education and teaching, community involvement, and contributions and accomplishments have changed the lives of many students and educators during her 25-plus years in the education profession. She is married to Kenneth Grigsby and has a daughter, Taylor Justice Grigsby, a sophomore Ole Miss student.