JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) — Students at Lake Elementary are starting the school year with a new principal, but this isn’t the first time she’s walking the halls of the west Jackson school.
Lake Elementary is the same school Lekeisha Sutton attended as a child.
Sutton says she was thrilled when she was appointed principal. It was the foundation that she got from Lake Elementary and Jackson Public Schools that helped her become successful.
“I want them to understand that I was once in their shoes,” says Sutton. “I was once a student that walked the halls of Lake Elementary.”
School events, eating in the cafeteria and relationships she built is what she remembers most about the school.
“Walking through the door the first day brought back some fun memories, so I’m truly excited to be here,’ says Sutton.
5th-grade teacher, Jannifer Frank, has been teaching at Lake Elementary for the past 29 years. She remembers Sutton walking the halls of the school. “She was self-driven,” says Frank. “So there was no doubt in my mind that she would be successful in her career as an educator.”
Sutton graduated from Provine High School and got her degrees from Jackson State University and Mississippi College. She always knew she wanted to give back to Jackson Public Schools.
“We go through school, and we become professionals,” Sutton said. “But in order for our community to continue to thrive. We have to come back and give to the community.”
She has high expectations for her students and can’t wait for class to start.
“I want them to be the best they can be every day and settle for nothing less,” says Sutton. “I’m ready to take on this new journey. I’m excited. I’m excited. This is going to be a great year.”
Superintendent Dr. Cedrick Gray says JPS is proud to have Ms. Sutton’s leadership at Lake Elementary.
JPS students go back to class Tuesday.
