Joseph is third new top official for IPSB

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Newly appointed Assistant Superintendent of Administration for Iberia Parish Jennifer Joseph is the third of three brand new top officials who will be leading the parish starting this summer with the common goal of bringing Iberia Parish to an “A” grade performance level.

“I feel pumped. I feel excited,” Joseph said. 

“A little nervous because we are going to have three new administrators in Iberia Parish. We are going to have challenges, some are going to be known some will be unknown but I look forward to working with (Superintendent elect) Carey Laviolette and (Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction) Heath Hulin. It’s going to be an exciting time for Iberia Parish,” Joseph added.

With 33 ½ years of experience, all of which have been dedicated to Iberia Parish, Joseph feels confident that her journey up the educational leadership ladder has prepared her for the challenges that lay ahead.

 “Nine-and-a-half years I spent as a teacher at Peebles Elementary; I was also a student there,” Joseph said. 

“I spent 11 years as a principal at Peebles. I thought I would never leave Peebles. This position came available and I have been here for 13 years overseeing over $8.5 million in grants.” 

Joseph will be leaving her current position as Supervisor of Specially Funded Programs.

Her new supervisory duties will include being a top administrator in charge of directors, principals, the supervisor of transportation, supervisors of child welfare and attendance and other personnel as assigned by the superintendent. Joseph will serve in the absence of the superintendent as the chief administrative officer for the system.

Joseph said she will approach the new job title with three main goals in place.

“My first goal is to unite our administrative department at our Jane Street office with our curriculum department (on Lemaire),” Joseph said. 

“We are all working toward the same goal to become an ‘A’ district,” 

Joseph said her second major concern involves a local response to the nationwide issue of school shootings. 

“I want to collaborate with the city and parish government officials and talk with them about getting a safety task force in place,” she said. “With all the school shootings happening, I want to be ready if it ever happens to us.”

Thirdly, Joseph said she wants to work closely with board attorney Wayne Landry to update policies and provide professional development for both principals and administrators.

“I have never taken off my principal hat,” Joseph said. 

The new assistant superintendent said that it’s important for her to relay policy and procedure information to heads of schools on issues such as crisis management and safety of students.

“Being a principal is a tough job and because I’ve walked in their shoes I hope to be better able to identify with them in their challenges and the hardships that they have,” she said.

Joseph said she feels her top two challenges will be the school board budget which is now experiencing a short fall and school safety in the midst of alarming recent incidents.

She has a mantra that keeps her motivated towards the tasks at hand. 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” she said. “I really believe that when you do things with the right intentions and you have the kids in mind with all your decisions, you are going to make the best decisions.”

Joseph will be replacing current Assistant Superintendent of Administration Michael Judice. 

The new school board officials will begin their administrative duties on July 1.