Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 4-9-21

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Dr. Jennifer Dames Is New Principal At Doris Ross Reddick Elem. School
Dr. Jennifer Dames
has been named the new principal of Doris Ross Red- dick Elementary School. She is the first person of color and only woman to lead the school in its 13-year history.
Dr. Jennifer Dames
attended the University of VA, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, with a Specializa- tion in Bio-Chemistry.
She furthered her educa- tion earning a Master’s de- gree in Secondary Science Instruction; and a Ph.D. in Science Education, from the University of Central Florida.
Her Dissertation focus was, “Self Efficacy of Under- represented Minority Women Entering the Med- ical Pipeline.”
A McKnight Fellowship recipient, Dr. Dames is also
Clemmie Perry, daughter of Mrs. Reddick and Dr. Jennifer Dames.
The family: Jailynn Dames, Rev. Glenn Dames, Dr. Jennifer Dames and Trey Dames.
a Congressional Black Cau- cus scholarship recipient. She is the Program Director for Pharrell Williams’ “From One Hand to An- other” Summer Camps in Florida and South Carolina.
Dr. Dames’ work does not stop there. She
wrote/consulted on various STEM grant-funded pro- grams in excess of $75K; grant reviewer for NASA’s Summer of Innovation; member of the Board of Di- rectors, STEM Leadership Academy, Richmond, VA; Adjunct Professor, Elemen-
tary Science Methods; and a 20-year educator, with 6 years experience in School Leadership and Administra- tion.
Before coming to Tampa, she served as an Asst. Princi- pal in Brevard County.
Upon moving to Tampa, Dr. Dames served at B. C. Graham Elementary as a Sci- ence Coach. Then she moved to Foster Elementary as an Asst. Principal for 2 years and then went on to Semi- nole Heights Elementary as an Asst. before being selected by a 5- person panel with the highest rating to be the Prin- cipal of Doris Ross Reddick Elementary School.
About Mrs. Reddick Mrs. Doris Reddick was born into a family of ed- ucators, a native of Tampa and a product of the Hills- borough County School Sys- tem graduating from George S. Middleton Senior High.
She is also a graduate of Bethune-Cookman College and the University of South Florida (USF).
In 1992, Mrs. Reddick was elected to the Hillsbor- ough County School Board, becoming the first Black woman to hold that position. Two years later, she was unanimously elected as chair and the first Black woman to serve in that capacity. She became the voice for children and minority businesses and under her leadership annual minority business allocations rose.
In recognition of her dedication and service to the Hillsborough County Public School District and the com- munity, on May 3, 2009, this magnificent institution of learning was dedicated and named DORIS ROSS RED- DICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL to honor Mrs. Reddick. (Photos by Lomax McIntyre)
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