Unplugged
Dr. Essie McKoy @emckoy
Strategies, Challenges, and Experiences
Transforming Schools to High Performing Learning Environments
@emckoy
Dr. McKoy received her Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) and an Educational Specialist Degree (Ed. S.) in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master’s Degree in Middle Grades Education from Appalachian State University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education with certification in Learning Disabilities from Winston-Salem State University. She has additional areas of certification in Public School Administration/Principalship, Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in English, and the NC Superintendency. Her dissertation topic, “A Study of Elementary Principals’ Perceptions of Accountability and Leadership in an Era of High Stakes Testing,” is a foundational part of her book, “The Heart of School Transformation: My Journey into Transforming Urban Schools.”
She attended The Urban Superintendent’s Program at Howard University and The American Association of School Administrators and received the National Superintendent’s Certification. In addition, she attended Harvard University’s Public Education Leadership Project Program and many other leadership programs throughout the nation, including the Wake Forest University Leadership Program for Public Engagement, The Distinguished Leadership Program and the Distinguished Leadership Program Digital Learning at North Carolina State University, The Principals’ Executive Program – Leadership Program for Assistant Principals at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received the Program’s Outstanding Academic Achievement Award and she graduated from the Principals’ Executive Program – Leadership Program for New Principals at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received the prestigious Jack McCall Award.
Dr. McKoy began her teaching career at an alternative middle school and later taught at another middle school. She has served as assistant principal at the elementary level before becoming the principal of two elementary schools. She worked as an instructor at the Math and Science Academy of Excellence at Winston-Salem State University and worked as an Adjunct Professor at NC A&T State University and ITT Technical Institute. Furthermore, she served as an Executive Director/Principal. Another highlight for her is to serve at an Early College/Middle College. Her experience spans from pre-K through college and she use her experience and knowledge to continue to make an impact in the field of education! Dr. McKoy was recently nominated for the AASA Women in School Leadership Award with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She has received many accolades and recognitions for her accomplishments throughout the span of her career.
She attended The Urban Superintendent’s Program at Howard University and The American Association of School Administrators and received the National Superintendent’s Certification. In addition, she attended Harvard University’s Public Education Leadership Project Program and many other leadership programs throughout the nation, including the Wake Forest University Leadership Program for Public Engagement, The Distinguished Leadership Program and the Distinguished Leadership Program Digital Learning at North Carolina State University, The Principals’ Executive Program – Leadership Program for Assistant Principals at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received the Program’s Outstanding Academic Achievement Award and she graduated from the Principals’ Executive Program – Leadership Program for New Principals at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received the prestigious Jack McCall Award.
Dr. McKoy began her teaching career at an alternative middle school and later taught at another middle school. She has served as assistant principal at the elementary level before becoming the principal of two elementary schools. She worked as an instructor at the Math and Science Academy of Excellence at Winston-Salem State University and worked as an Adjunct Professor at NC A&T State University and ITT Technical Institute. Furthermore, she served as an Executive Director/Principal. Another highlight for her is to serve at an Early College/Middle College. Her experience spans from pre-K through college and she use her experience and knowledge to continue to make an impact in the field of education! Dr. McKoy was recently nominated for the AASA Women in School Leadership Award with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She has received many accolades and recognitions for her accomplishments throughout the span of her career.