Principal
Dear J.B. Atkinson Families, Welcome JBA families!
I am the principal, Dr. Arivia Parks. This will be my second year serving as principal and I am excited for the new school year!
My passion comes from giving back to kids and letting them know no matter where they come from, they can be successful in their own right, whatever that may be! That doesn’t always look like college graduation for some students.
I have 19 years of experience in education and previously worked as an assistant principal at Whitney Young Elementary, a student response team coach at King Elementary, and a teacher at Maupin, Engelhard, Wheatley, and Bates Elementary schools.
I have earned a Doctorate in educational leadership from Argosy University, a Rank I in gifted and talented education from Indiana University Southeast, and a Master of Arts in education and administration and a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Murray State University.
My goal is to change the narrative of the Portland neighborhood by creating a school and community that students, families and the community proudly call their own. It’s bigger than students only succeeding on state testing for me!