About Us

Meet our Leaders

We are the local affiliate of an organization that, for over 100 years, has provided support, protection, and strength to those who spend their careers nurturing Mississippi’s children.
 
Today, we continue to build upon that legacy: providing benefits, protection, and leveraging our collective voice to advocate for our members and all public educators across Mississippi.  

George is a 16-year educator and advocate that is passionate about advocating for policies, programs, and systems that give students access to quality education. George’s introduction into education advocacy came through his acceptance into the
National Education Association (NEA) Teacher Leadership Institute (TLI). Since he completed the program, George has presented at the NEA National Leadership Summit and has worked with the NEA as a TLI capstone reviewer. Stewart has also accepted the opportunity to be a national coach for the NEA Teacher Pathway (T-Path) Leadership Institute. As a strong advocate for public education, George has collaborated with state legislators in writing and introducing legislation in the Mississippi House of Representatives. His work was highlighted at the Mississippi Association of Educators (MAE) Representative Assembly. As a huge supporter of community schools and education equity, George was the MAE representative on the OUR JPS Community Schools Planning Team and the Mississippi NAACP Education Committee. Finally, George is an alum of The Mississippi Black Leadership Institute, founded by Congressman Bennie Thompson and an alum of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute Advocacy and Campaign Institute.

​​Joice E. Greer is a school counselor at Bates Elementary School with Jackson Public Schools in Jackson, MS. She has 23 years of experience in education and has been a counselor for 9 years. She is an active member of MCA (Mississippi Counseling Association), ASCA (American School Counselor Association), MSCA (Mississippi School Counseling Association), and is currently serving as MSCA Secretary 2020-2022. She has been a member of NEA (National Educators Association), MAE (Mississippi Association of Educators), and JAE (Jackson Association of Educators), where she is currently serving as the Vice President. Her goal is to encourage educators to join, participate and network to make situations better for educators as a whole. She wants to actively promote our roles and duties to ensure healthy children in our society by providing social, emotional, and academic support to all.

Kedra Pope is a 7th grade English Language Arts teacher and Literacy Coach at Blackburn Middle School. This is her fifth year at Blackburn and my 25th year teaching. Pope holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Jackson State University (“Thee I Love”), a master’s degree in Education from Belhaven University, and a specialist degree from Walden University in Administrator Leadership for Teaching and Learning. Additionally, Kedra is a wife, mother, grandmother (“Mimi),” sister, aunt, friend, and Alderwoman, who believes in the power(s) of God, education, and reading.

Shaunte Watts is a School Counselor with Jackson Public Schools. She has been an educator for 17 years and school counselor for 10 years.Committee. Finally, he is an alum of The Mississippi Black Leadership Institute, founded by Congressman Bennie Thompson, and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute Advocacy and Campaign Institute.

Why JAE?

Professional Development

Through collaboration with our state affiliate, we are proud to offer our members the opportunity to continue their education throughout their entire careers. Our Professional Development Committee identifies each year’s professional development priorities to provide a full slate of continuing education workshops.

Protection

Jackson Association of Education knows that being an educator is a noble profession, and one that carries with it a certain amount of legal risk. No one is immune, and that’s why, through our state affiliate, we provide a comprehensive legal safety net for our members.

Power

Being a Jackson Association of Educators member means that your voice will join thousands of others rallying in support of public education. We have assisted our state affiliate in helping schools avoid state takeover and kept control of public schools in the hands of the communities that support and attend them. The Jackson Association of Educators has also assisted in achieving some great legislative victories. And although we are proud of these accomplishments, we know that the fight for Mississippi educators is not over, and that is why we need you.

Be a part of the movement. join today.