Meet Jermaine
As a lifelong Floridian and educator, I am passionate about providing our students with opportunities and am 100% committed to ensuring our schools are successful. Alexandra, my wife of 13 years, is a post-secondary educator and doctoral student. Together, we have two children, Sanai and Jaidyn. In addition, I share the experience of other public school parents, navigating my school-aged children through the ongoing challenges of unfinished learning due to the pandemic. For this reason, I am committed to supporting ALL of Desoto County’s students and making sure they reach their full potential.
My Experience
I am proud to have served the K-12 educational community for the past 15 years. Since my first position as an ESE-EBD paraeducator in 2007, my life’s work has been in public education and centered on service to students, parents/guardians, and the community; that work continues every day.
During the 2017-2021 school years, I was privileged to have served as an Assistant Principal and Principal in Desoto County, working alongside equally dedicated educators to collectively improve student outcomes and experiences. Most notably, I successfully led a highly diverse school community in confronting the challenges of poverty, income inequality, food security, health accessibility, language barriers, and learning deficits.
As the Desoto County Superintendent of Schools, I will provide deeply committed, engaging, innovative, integral, and supportive leadership based on my broad experience and expertise as a: paraeducator, teacher, dean, assistant principal, and turnaround principal. For the past 2 years, I have served as a principal, meeting the digital learning needs of students, parents/guardians, and teachers across the state of Florida and beyond.
My Why
One of the most important components in a student’s school experience is their relationship with caring adults; it charts their course toward lifelong success and takes many forms. Administrators, teachers, paraeducators, counselors, receptionists, resource officers, custodians, bus drivers, and food service assistants are all part of our students’ educational lives. It is up to all of us, collectively, to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Since becoming an educator, I have devoted significant focus to supporting teachers and fostering meaningful partnerships with stakeholders to make our educational system the very best it can be. I will continue to strive to remove barriers for Desoto County families and provide students with a high-quality and hands-on education, beginning in early childhood and being further developed throughout their school years.
My Vision
My vision for Desoto County Schools prioritizes ALL students, especially those who need us the most, by ensuring equal access to options that support their success in school and life, every day.