Marie Feagins, Ed.D., newly minted superintendent of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, is taking command of her district’s future with an extensive team of over 60 local leaders, according to announcements made on April 11. The transition team, a diverse group bearing a wealth of expertise, is tasked with shaping the district's strategic visions and policies.

Among the key figures are co-chairs Stefani Everson-Phillips, MSCS's director of external communications, and JB Smiley, Jr., a name known in the legal circles as well as in city governance as chairman of the Memphis City Council. This assembly of minds, according to the Commercial Appeal, is organized to forge progress in student achievement, business operations, strategic communications and partnerships, next-level readiness, and inclusive excellence.

Dr. Feagins's resolve is clear. "It is important for me to hit the ground running and see results fast where possible," she asserted, as reported by WREG. This decisive attitude sets the tone for an ambitious tenure at the helm of one of the largest school districts in Tennessee.

The transition team's makeup reflects a tapestry of the Memphis community, encompassing not only seasoned educators but also students, business leaders, and civic figures. Their insight, as laid out by an Action News 5 release, is expected to steer the district towards elevated benchmarks of inclusive excellence and comprehensive education reform.

With such a robust confluence of minds and motives, all eyes are now turned toward the measures and methodologies that will unfold from this gathering of local, state, and national advisors. Dr. Feagins's strides could echo far beyond Memphis, setting a precedent for educational leadership in an era begging for innovative paths forward.