Rome City Schools is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. LaShonda Flanders as Director of Special Education for Rome City Schools. Dr. Flanders is an innovative and dedicated educational leader with more than two decades of experience in a variety of educational roles.
Dr. Flanders most recently served as the Chief Strategy Officer for the Dougherty County School System in Albany where she directed strategic initiatives and innovations in the system serving almost 14,000 students across 22 schools. She previously served as the Assistant Superintendent for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for Turner County Schools in Ashburn and also served as Director of Curriculum and Instruction for sixth through 12 grades and system test coordinator for Tift County Schools in Tifton.
"I am deeply honored to join the Rome City Schools team as the Director of Special Education. My heartfelt thanks go to the Rome City Schools Governance Team and Dr. Eric L. Holland for entrusting me with this vital responsibility. Serving our most vulnerable students is a privilege, and I am eager to collaborate with our dedicated leaders, teachers, staff, and parents. Together with the broader Rome City community, we are committed to reimagining educational excellence. At Rome City Schools, we chase excellence together, firmly believing that 'no one of us is greater than all of us.' I look forward to our journey towards making a meaningful difference in every student's life,” Dr. Flanders says.
Dr. Flanders has an extensive educational background. She earned her BS in Special Education from Valdosta State University and earned her Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration from Valdosta State University. She earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
She has been involved in many leadership roles including serving as President of the Georgia Association of Curriculum and Instructional Supervisors, serving as a Board Member of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, serving as a committee member on the Cognia Georgia State Committee, and being a Cohort 15 graduate from the Georgia School Superintendent Association, Superintendent Professional Development Program.
“Dr. Flanders has an outstanding record of educational excellence, achieving remarkable success in her previous roles. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team and are confident that her leadership will greatly benefit our students and the entire Rome City Schools community,” said Rome City Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland.