JEFFERSON — The Jackson County School System Board of Education approved the hires of two new assistant principals on Thursday night. 

The system has announced Jason Powers as the new assistant principal at West Jackson Middle School, and Dr. Em Smith Headley as the new assistant principal for South Jackson Elementary School. 

Powers has been with JCSS since 2007, serving as a teacher, coach and now the MTSS Coordinator for Jackson County High School. He has been the head wrestling coach for the Panthers’ varsity team. Powers, a graduate of Jackson County High School and three-time state champion wrestler, says being able to stay a Panther and serve at the middle school as an assistant principal is a great fit for him and his family. 

“The West Jackson community means so much to me and my family. I have had the pleasure of serving the community for the past 16 years of my career and I am excited to have the opportunity to become an Assistant Principal at WJMS,” Powers said. “I am looking forward to all of the amazing opportunities that I will have to make a positive impact on the students, teachers and families of WJMS.”

Dr. Headley comes to Jackson County from the Clarke County School District, where she has most recently served as the K-5 English Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator. She has also served as an Implementation Specialist for the K-8 level. Dr. Headley has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Georgia. She obtained her Masters of Arts in Teaching Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College in 2010.

She earned her Doctor of Education degree in May 2022, specializing in Curriculum and Instruction. 

“Jackson County is a growing and vibrant community where I can bring my passion for education and heart for children,” Dr. Headley said. “It is an honor to join a culture that strives to improve on its current greatness and cares for students, their academic opportunities, and achievement.”

Powers and Dr. Headley became the fifth and sixth assistant principals hired for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. JCSS promoted three internal candidates to the assistant principal position earlier in March. Wendy Dillow will serve at East Jackson Elementary School; Jessie Wood at East Jackson Comprehensive High School; and Jade Paustian will serve as West Jackson Middle School. Maysville Elementary School also announced the hire of Kelli Hall, who comes to JCSS from a nearby school system. 

All new assistant principals will remain in their current positions until the new academic year begins this summer.