The Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District has named Darein Spann principal of Starkville High School for the 2022-23 school year.
His hiring was approved by the Board of Trustees during a special called meeting on Thursday.
Spann is currently principal of the Technology, Engineering and Construction Academic House at Starkville High School.
Spann began his career in education as an English teacher in 2004 in Jackson. He joined the Starkville Oktibbeha School District in 2018 as an assistant principal at Starkville High School. He was named SOCSD Administrator of the Year in 2021 and SOCSD Certified Personnel of the Year in 2020. Spann was also previously honored as Teacher of the Year at Magee High School and Murrah High School.
“Dr. Spann is a dynamic instructional leader with 18 years of experience in education,” said SOCSD Supt. Tony McGee. “He has been integral to the full implementation of the Academic Houses at Starkville High School that connect our classrooms to our community and our students to future careers, and Dr. Spann fully understands the importance of building strong relationships that foster and support our students and teachers."
Spann holds doctorate and specialist degrees in educational leadership from Mississippi College. He earned his master's degree from Mississippi College, and he earned in bachelor's degree from Belhaven University.
Spann has served on the Teacher Leadership Committe and the Teacher and Administrative Evaluation Committee for the Mississippi Department of Education. He has also completed the Principals' Institute at Millsaps College and the National Institute for School Leadership.
“I am excited to lead a team of excellent teachers and educators at Starkville High School who celebrate learning," said Dr. Spann. "Our overall goal is to ensure students are academically prepared to face a challenging world when they graduate from SHS. We will do that by supporting the whole child - emotionally, physically, and mentally - each day he or she comes to school, and we look forward to an outstanding year where each child's passion, purpose, and potential thrive as we celebrate learning."
The Board of Trustees also approved hiring three assistant principals during Thursday's special called meeting: Gregory Washington, Starkville High School; Ashley Parvin, Armstrong Jr. High School; and Gregory Brackett, Partnership Middle School.
