Greenwell has dedicated her entire career to education and JCPS
January 20, 2023
Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio announced today that Dr. Terra Greenwell has been named chief academic officer for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS).
“Dr. Greenwell is a respected leader with a strong background in education and in-depth knowledge of JCPS,” said Dr. Marty Pollio. “She is passionate that students deserve equitable access to opportunities and resources regardless of school location and that research and practitioner experience lead to strong decision-making. I’m confident she will steer our district in the right direction regarding curriculum and ensuring students receive grade-level, engaging instruction.”
Dr. Greenwell was unanimously selected for the position by a 12-person hiring committee made up of representatives from multiple district divisions, including Diversity, Equity, and Poverty (DEP), Culture and Climate, Schools, Human Resources, and the Jefferson County Teachers Association (JCTA).
“Dr. Greenwell has a mountainous job ahead of her. She spoke with certainty about what must happen in academics to improve outcomes for students of color,” said Dr. John Marshall, chief equity officer for JCPS. “I am excited to see, support, and engage with her and the department she leads in improving academics for all students.”
Dr. Greenwell will lead the critical work of the district, including developing the instructional vision for JCPS and coordinating resources to ensure students receive rigorous, engaging instruction tailored to their individual needs.
Greenwell has been with JCPS for her entire career, serving as a teacher, academic instructional coach, assistant principal and principal. Most recently, she served as the executive administrator for Middle School Explore. Through her leadership, Explore expanded from a pilot program to a successful, innovative experience at eight middle schools districtwide. Explore allows middle school students to discover their aptitudes and interests early on while becoming engaged academically. Explore will be featured in fourteen JCPS Middle Schools in 2023-2024 to give kids access to opportunities and resources.
Prior, as principal at Ramsey Middle School, she transformed the school by focusing on enhancing instruction, creating a positive culture and climate, and promoting equity in all aspects. She believes in treating teachers as respected professionals and fostering a climate for learning that promotes student engagement.
“I’m honored to be taking on this leadership position in JCPS. High-quality teaching and learning has never been more important. I believe that all students can learn at high levels when leaders lead with a clear instructional vision and an equity-driven mission,” said Dr. Greenwell. “My goal is to improve the academic experience for students by empowering educators and shifting systems in our organization to more equitably support all learners.”