​Jakes Approved As Principal of Empower

The Jackson County Board of Education has approved Mrs. Lacey Jakes as the new principal of the Empower College and Career Center. Jakes will begin her duties with Empower on July 1. 

Jakes currently serves as an assistant principal at Mill Creek High School, where she oversees the STEM program and scheduling. She will replace the retiring Dr. Meri Blackburn at Empower.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome Mrs. Jakes to Jackson County to serve as our new principal at the Empower College and Career Center," JCSS Superintendent Dr. Philip Brown said. "Mrs. Jakes' experience in launching the STEM program and extensive experience in scheduling at her current school will be invaluable to high school students throughout our system. I look forward to working alongside her to continue to grow our CTAE (Career Technical Agricultural Education) offerings at Empower."

Jakes has a long career of service in public education. She has served as an assistant principal under MCHS principal Jason Lane since 2017. Prior to moving into administration, Jakes served as a department chair and the STEM innovator at MCHS. As the STEM innovator, Jakes helped launch the high school's EPIC program, a cross-curricular STEM model utilized by students throughout the high school. As a result of the program's launch and success, the school reduced course failure rates by 30 percent.

"I am incredibly humbled, excited, and honored to join the Empower family and serve the students, staff, and community of Jackson County," Jakes said. "Empower’s forward-thinking approach to education through authentic learning, strong partnerships, and innovative opportunities deeply aligns with my passion for preparing students for success in college, careers, and life. I look forward to building on the incredible foundation already in place."

Jakes has also served as a math teacher at Osborne Middle School and in Butts County. She has also served as a Comprehensive City Planner for the City of Atlanta. 

Jakes holds a Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy and City Planning from Georgia Tech, a Master's Degree in Instructional Systems from Florida State University and a Tier 1 Leadership Certificate from the University of West Georgia. 

Outside of education, Jakes enjoys spending time with family at football and baseball games, reading, attending concerts, camping, walking her dogs, playing games, tackling DIY projects, and simply chatting about life.