Join us in congratulating Ms. Angie Tanner on her new leadership position as principal of the Harrison County Child Development Center!
Ms. Tanner is a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a master's degree and a specialist degree in Elementary Education; a specialist in Educational Leadership; and endorsements in special education mild/moderate and vocal/instrumental music K-12.
During her 24-year professional career, Ms. Tanner has worked as a general and special education teacher, served as a Grade Chair, District Curriculum Team Member, State MCT2 Test Review Team member, SOARS Team Member, Vision Team Member, Special Education Case Manager/Assessment Team, William Carey Adjunct Instructor, Instructional Coach, and Assistant Principal.
Ms. Tanner brings a plethora of knowledge to the Harrison County Child Development Center. Her compassion and love for the field of special education and students with disabilities make her a perfect fit at the HCCDC.
“Being principal at the HCCDC is my dream job! I'm excited and well prepared to begin my journey as part of the AMAZING staff at the Harrison County Child Development Center to share my knowledge for maximizing the learning experience for all students!"
Ms. Tanner has two amazing children, Jillianne Sumrall and Louis Smith, a wonderful son-in-law, Ben, and a precious grandson, Everett.
Wishing you a fantastic school year, Ms. Tanner!
We are pleased to announce that Mr. Justus Booth has been named Principal of Creekbend Elementary and Middle School!
Mr. Booth most recently served as Assistant Principal at Harrison Central High School. During his time there, he was part of a dedicated team that helped the school earn an A rating and achieve one of the top five English Learner performance scores among high schools in Mississippi. His leadership is grounded in collaboration, high expectations, and a deep commitment to student success.
Mr. Booth began his career as a teacher and has served in school leadership roles focused on building strong instructional teams and supporting a positive school culture. He looks forward to working alongside the staff, students, and families of Creekbend to continue moving the school forward.
Outside of school, Mr. Booth enjoys spending time with his wife and children and is proud to continue serving the Harrison County School District community.
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Booth and welcoming him to Creekbend!
We are thrilled to announce that Mrs. Cindy Dusang will serve as the new principal of North Gulfport Elementary & Middle School for the 2025-26 school year!
Mrs. Dusang is a proud graduate of D’Iberville High School. She has spent her career dedicated to serving students and communities within the district. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master's degree from William Carey University.
Mrs. Dusang's career in education is marked by exceptional leadership and dedication. She began her administrative journey as a lead teacher at North Gulfport Middle School, where she developed a strong connection with the students and staff. She then served as assistant principal at both Lizana Elementary and North Gulfport Middle School, making a lasting impact on both campuses.
Mrs. Dusang later became the principal of D’Iberville Elementary and Creekbend Elementary & Middle School. She led both schools to "A" ratings, demonstrating her ability to inspire growth, build strong school cultures, and promote academic excellence. What's also remarkable is that under her leadership, D'Iberville Elementary received the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School designation! Now, Mrs. Dusang is returning “home” to North Gulfport, where she is eager to rejoin the community, support student achievement, and work alongside an outstanding team of educators and staff.
Mrs. Dusang and her husband, Damon, have two wonderful children, Keely and Kennedy, and one son-in-law, Baker. They are the light of her life. In her free time, she enjoys cruising and taking trips to Disney with her family, creating the same kind of joy and magic she strives to bring into her school each day.
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Dusang and giving her a warm "welcome back to North Gulfport" shoutout as she embarks on this exciting new journey! We look forward to a fantastic school year under her leadership!
Join us in congratulating Mrs. Jansen Hagwood on her new position as assistant principal of Creekbend Elementary and Middle School for the 2025-26 school year!
Mrs. Hagwood has been in education for nearly 11 years, with experience teaching kindergarten through second grade, sixth grade, and serving in special education as both an inclusion teacher and case manager. Most recently, she served as the Instructional Coach at Lyman Elementary.
Mrs. Hagwood is excited to join the Creekbend family as Assistant Principal and looks forward to serving the community while supporting teachers and students in reaching their highest potential!
We are excited to announce that Ms. Michelle LaGarde-Durden will serve as the new Assistant Principal of Crossroads Elementary School for the 2025-26 school year!
Ms. Durden, a Houma, Louisiana native and William Carey alum, ignites curiosity and fosters a love for learning in her students. With a rich background in teaching, mentoring, and tutoring science, math, language arts, and writing across Harrison County and Picayune School Districts, she has had the privilege of shaping young minds for over a decade.
In 2018, Ms. Durden was honored to be named Orange Grove Elementary’s Teacher of the Year, a testament to her commitment to excellence in education. As a curriculum writer for Accelerate Learning, she had the privilege of developing engaging and effective instructional materials for students across the United States. Her role as a facilitator for teacher coaching with PREPS further allows her to support and empower her colleagues.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Durden has hosted STEM camps in partnership with esteemed organizations such as Shell, NASA, and Blue Origin, providing students with hands-on experiences that spark their interest in science and technology. She has also served as the Youth Program Lead for the U.S. Air Force, where she coordinated events and activities that engaged students and their families, fostering a strong sense of community.
At Crossroads Elementary, she continues to collaborate closely with parents and community members to cultivate a supportive and enriching environment for her students.
“Together, we are building a foundation for the next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and leaders.”
Congratulations, Ms. Durden!
Exciting announcement from D'Iberville High School!
D'Iberville High School is proud to welcome Mrs. Shonda Bourn as the school's new Assistant Principal! With 15 years of experience in education and a background in instructional leadership, Mrs. Bourn is committed to fostering a school culture rooted in collaboration, integrity, and student success.
Mrs. Bourn believes in leading by example—supporting and guiding teachers and students while working alongside them. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes consistency, structure, and inspiration, ensuring that every student and staff member feels valued and empowered to reach their highest potential.
Bringing a wealth of experience from Ocean Springs High School, Mrs. Bourn has played a pivotal role in academic leadership, teacher mentorship, curriculum development, and student advocacy. Now, as she joins the Warrior family, she is eager to build meaningful relationships, strengthen educational opportunities, and cultivate a thriving school community.
“I am honored to join D'Iberville High School and excited to embark on this new journey with such an incredible team,” said Mrs. Bourn. “With a deep commitment to PRIDE, TRADITION, and EXCELLENCE, I look forward to working together to inspire growth, achievement, and success for all. Leadership is not a license to do less; it is a responsibility to do more.”
Please join us in giving Mrs. Bourn a warm Warrior welcome!
Help us congratulate Mrs. Erica Miller on her recent promotion! She will take on a new role as an assistant principal of Harrison Central High School for the 2025-26 school year!
Mrs. Miller is a proud product of the Harrison County School District, where she graduated from D’Iberville High School.
Mrs. Miller holds a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. She furthered her education by earning a Master's in Education from William Carey University and a Master's in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University.
With 20 years in the educational field, Erica's professional journey began as a teacher's assistant at Three River Elementary School. She then transitioned to teaching social studies at North Gulfport Middle School and later became an English Language Arts (ELA) teacher at West Harrison Middle School. This past year, she was the Instructional Coach at Harrison Central High School.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Miller has also taken on various roles outside the classroom, including serving as a cheer coach, student council sponsor, and advisor for the Multicultural Club. She is married to Horace Waites, and they cherish their time with family, especially their nieces Yvonne and Averie.
Mrs. Miller is excited to embark on her new educational journey as Assistant Principal at Harrison Central!
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Ryan Langford to the Wildcat Family! He will be serving as an assistant principal at North Gulfport Elementary & Middle School for the 2025-26 school year!
Mr. Langford has taught school for the last 11 years, focusing on math. He began his career teaching 5th-grade math and science at Three Rivers Elementary School and then moved to a neighboring district to teach second grade, 8th-grade math, and 7th-grade math.
Mr. Langford received his bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Southern Mississippi with a focus on middle school mathematics. He also earned a master’s degree from the University of Mississippi in Educational Leadership.
"I am excited to be a part of North Gulfport Elementary & Middle School!" he said.
Congratulations, Mr. Langford!
We are excited to announce that Mrs. Yolonda Jenkins will serve as an assistant principal at North Gulfport Elementary & Middle School for the 2025-26 school year!
Mrs. Jenkins is a native of Magee, Mississippi. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration, both from the University of Southern Mississippi. Additionally, she earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from William Carey University.
Mrs. Jenkins just completed her 19th year in the field of education. Her career began in the Forrest County School District, where she served as a kindergarten teacher. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to teach second, third, and fourth grades, gaining a comprehensive understanding of elementary education. She later worked as a district interventionist in the Simpson County School District, collaborating with students and educators across elementary, middle, and high school levels. Mrs. Jenkins also spent two years as an English Language Arts Student Assessment Consultant with the Mississippi Department of Education, further broadening her experience in statewide educational initiatives.
In 2019, Mrs. Jenkins joined the Harrison County School District as a third-grade teacher at Bel-Aire Elementary. In 2022, she transitioned into the role of instructional coach, first at Crossroads Elementary and later returning to Bel-Aire.
"I am honored to continue serving the district in my new position as Assistant Principal of North Gulfport Elementary & Middle School. I am deeply committed to fostering academic success and nurturing a love for learning among students and staff alike," said Mrs. Jenkins.
Mrs. Jenkins resides in Gulfport with her husband, Nicholas, and their three children: Yasmin, Amaya, and Nicholas Jr.
Congratulations, Mrs. Jenkins! Welcome to the Wildcat family!
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
