Ten JPS Educators Serve on Mississippi's Textbook Rating Committee

November 13, 2024

Conesha Washington-Barron – Art	Cassaundra Watkins – Art	Quintavious Phillips – Math
Dr. Vanessa Ann Patterson – Math	Christopher Evans – Math	Andrea Burroughs – Social Studies
Alexandria Drake – Social Studies	Nimba Burgress – Social Studies	Irma Yates-Walker – Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and State Superintendent of Education Dr. Lance Evans have appointed ten educators from Jackson Public Schools (JPS) to serve on the State Textbook Rating Committee for K-12. This committee plays an essential role in the adoption of education textbooks for Mississippi's K-12 schools.

The State Textbook Rating Committee is tasked with evaluating and selecting high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) that meet the standards set forth by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). Through a rigorous review process, the committee identifies education resources to support teachers and enhance students' learning experiences across Mississippi for the next five years.

The following JPS educators were appointed to the committee, along with their areas of expertise:

• Conesha Washington-Barron – Art
• Cassaundra Watkins – Art
• Renna Moore-Edwards  – Art (not pictured)
• Quintavious Phillips – Math
• Dr. Vanessa Ann Patterson – Math
• Christopher Evans – Math
• Andrea Burroughs – Social Studies
• Alexandria Drake – Social Studies
• Nimba Burgress – Social Studies
• Irma Yates-Walker – Career and Technical Education (CTE)

JPS Superintendent Dr. Errick Greene expressed enthusiasm about the contributions these educators will bring to the committee: 

“We are delighted to have these educators contributing their expertise to this committee. I am confident that, through their participation, our scholars will enjoy a meaningful learning experience with the resources chosen."

The JPS educators bring expertise and dedication to this role, joining other appointed leaders from around the state in a collaborative effort to ensure Mississippi’s students have access to the best instructional resources.