Laurel Middle School assistant principal Ryakko Price has been named interim principal at LMS beginning in October.

Price began her career in education as a history teacher and cheer coach in Houston, Texas before coming to the Laurel School District in July 2002. While in Laurel she has served as head varsity girls basketball coach, ninth grade principal, assistant high school principal, CTC director, and assistant principal at Laurel Middle School.

She received a Bachelor of Science in history education from Alabama State University, master’s degree in sports administration and specialist in educational leadership both from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in educational leadership from William Carey University.

“Shaping the lives of impressionable minds gives me great encouragement and motivation,” she said. Students are our future and the sky is truly the limit.”

Former supervising principal Tito Lanier has joined the central office team to assist the district with student support services, working with at-risk students. The move will bring additional support to the district in an area that will impact student achievement, graduation rates and dropout rates.

Lanier, a graduate of Jackson State University, and William Carey University has 23 years of experience in education and has served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.