Following a successful period as leader over the nationally recognized SCS iZone schools and previous posts as a Memphis City Schools principal and teacher, Dr. Sharon Griffin has been appointed as the new Chief of Schools. 

The native Memphian will directly support schools and educators in carrying out the District’s curriculum roadmap.  Her role will allow SCS Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Heidi Ramirez, to focus on ensuring the District has the instructional tools and systems needed for success.

"We are facing more rigorous academic standards and need to make strategic and swift changes in order to boost student achievement at a more rapid rate," Superintendent Dorsey Hopson says.  

Hopson says Griffin has a track-record of success with the iZone schools, helping to move six schools from the bottom to among the top performers in the state and five others seeing double digit gains over a three-year period.  Griffin’s progress has been noticed nationally, as school districts across the county have visited the iZone schools in an effort to replicate the strategies in their areas.

"Our secret ingredient is people. If we become more intentional about targeted support of our educators and give them the resources needed for success, we will see a drastic turnaround in student achievement," says Griffin.

Griffin will work closely with Ramirez to provide a more layered system of supports for schools and educators that builds on structures currently in place around literacy and math improvement.  Griffin will also maintain leadership over the iZone schools.