As Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) moves forward with its new regional leadership model, we’re proud to introduce the leaders guiding this important work across our communities. Each regional superintendent brings a strong track record in education, a deep understanding of the students and families they serve, and a shared commitment to academic excellence and equity.
Dr. Debra Fox-Stanford will serve as the Regional Superintendent for the iZone, where she will be committed to deepening school-community ties, expanding opportunities for students, and ensuring every child can thrive in their neighborhood school.
With over 28 years of distinguished service within MSCS, Dr. Fox-Stanford is a highly accomplished educational leader with a proven record of driving significant academic growth and systemic improvement.
Her leadership journey began as an Instructional Facilitator at Sheffield Elementary and shortly transitioned to an Assistant Principal at Raleigh Egypt High School. After being accepted into the New Leaders for Schools Program, Dr. Fox-Stanford held impactful principalships, demonstrating consistent leadership in school improvement. Under her leadership tenure, Hamilton Elementary and Holmes Road Elementary achieved numerous academic recognitions for growth and achievement.
In 2017, Dr. Fox-Stanford was tapped to serve in a pivotal role as iZone Instructional Leadership Director, where she was instrumental in leading and improving student achievement across Tennessee's lowest-performing schools. In this capacity, she successfully guided schools to exit the State Priority List, demonstrating exceptional turnaround leadership.
Beyond K-12 administration, Dr. Fox-Stanford served five years as an online professor for the University of Phoenix. She also proudly served in the United States Army, instilling a foundational work ethic, unwavering commitment, and strategic thinking that has profoundly shaped her extensive educational career.
Dr. Fox-Stanford’s career is marked by a steadfast commitment to educational excellence and systemic improvement, consistently delivering measurable results and fostering environments where students and staff thrive.
Through a regional structure, MSCS hopes to create a sense of belonging where each person feels understood. Additionally, a regional model will help streamline operations more effectively and enhance overall efficiency.
The iZone includes:
- A.B. Hill Elementary
- Alcy Elementary
- American Way Middle
- Caldwell-Guthrie School
- Chickasaw Middle
- Double Tree Elementary
- Douglass School
- Fairley High
- Ford Road Elementary
- Frayser/Corning
- Geeter School
- Georgian Hills
- Hamilton High
- Hamilton K-8
- Hanley School
- Holmes Road Elementary
- Kingsbury Middle
- LaRose Elementary
- Levi Elementary
- Lucie E. Campbell Elementary
- Lucy Elementary
- Melrose High
- Memphis Virtual School
- Mitchell High
- Oakhaven Middle
- Raleigh-Egypt Middle
- Riverview School
- Scenic Hills Elementary
- Sheffield High
- Sherwood Middle
- Treadwell Middle
- Winchester Elementary
- Wooddale High
- Woodstock Middle