Mancell Elam, a former assistant principal at Hopkinsville High School, has been named the first diversity administrator for Christian County Public Schools.
“This position requires a level-headed leader to ensure we provide all students with an equitable education, and Mr. Elam is the right person for the task,” Superintendent Chris Bentzel said in a news release.
Elam will oversee the district’s racial equity plan, which includes designing and coordinating professional learning for district officials in the areas of equity and social justice.
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According to the job description, he is expected to “promote a culture of diversity and inclusion embracing differences as a strategic opportunity toward leading the district’s efforts to build a culture of equity and embodiment of all students, families, employees and the community …”
His responsibilities will include:
- Assist in the district and schools in resolving education and diversity issues affecting educators, students, parents and the community
- Cultivate and model a respectful working and learning environment where equity and inclusion is at the core of the value proposition
- Support the engagement of family and community partners in various academic, instructional, social and emotional supportive services
- Attend recruiter meeting and other training sessions sponsored by the district and Department of Education
- Promote minority recruitment for teacher and leadership positions
- Facilitate quarterly African American Male Advisory Council meetings in collaboration with superintendent or superintendent designee
- Collaborate with the teacher recruiter on the “Grow your Own” program with an emphasis on minority applicants
The annual salary for the position is $91,160, district spokesman John Rittenhouse told Hoptown Chronicle.
Elam previously worked in Christian County Public Schools for 11 years. He is returning after three years as principal at Fulton County High School.
He earn his bachelor’s in education at Murray State University, where he played football. He holds multiple master’s degrees, from Murray, Bethel College and the University of the Cumberlands, and holds the Rank 1 credential for administrators, according to the news release.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be back with CCPS,” he said in the release. “I look forward to working with students, staff and our community.”
Elam’s wife, Reisha Elam, is the principal at Freedom Elementary School. They have two children, TaVionne and Xavier.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.
