Gwinnett BOE approves new appointments at June Board Meeting
Gwinnett BOE approves new appointments at June Board Meeting
![GCPS Logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1719843278/gcpsk12org/uxn9kkemssy07gizn2mp/GCPS-LOGO.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1719843278/gcpsk12org/uxn9kkemssy07gizn2mp/GCPS-LOGO.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1719843278/gcpsk12org/uxn9kkemssy07gizn2mp/GCPS-LOGO.png","width":665}]){kind=logo}
During its regularly scheduled business meeting on June 18, 2026, the Gwinnett County Board of Education (BOE) approved seven leadership appointments.
Dr. Shawn D. Bird has been appointed Chief Academic Officer in the Division of Teaching and Learning. Dr. Bird currently serves as Deputy Superintendent for the San Antonio Independent School District, Texas.
Alison E. Breedy-Johnson, Esq., has been appointed Deputy Superintendent in the Superintendent's Office. Breedy-Johnson currently serves as Associate Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation at Danbury Public Schools, Conn.
Niccolo Dua has been named Chief Communications Officer in the Superintendent's Office. Dua currently serves as Director of Communications and Marketing at Norwalk Public Schools, Conn.
Dr. Kimberly J. Erickson has been appointed Executive Director of Visioning and Strategy in the Superintendent's Office. Dr. Erickson currently serves as Director of Data Strategy and Accountability at Norwalk Public Schools, Conn.
Dr. Rodney Jordan has been appointed Cluster Superintendent in the Division of School Improvement and Operations. Dr. Jordan currently serves as Principal at South Gwinnett High School.
Lissette McRea has been named Cluster Superintendent in the Division of School Improvement and Operations. McRea currently serves as Principal at Rockbridge Elementary School.
Mary-Anne Sheppard has been appointed Chief of Schools in the Division of School Improvement and Operations. Sheppard currently serves as Executive Director of Leadership Development at Norwalk Public Schools, Conn.
Dr. Shawn D. Bird, Chief Academic Officer
Employment:
2023-Present Deputy Superintendent,
2021-2023 Chief Academic Officer, Houston Independent School District, Texas
2020-2021 Deputy Superintendent/Chief of Schools, Portland Public Schools, Ore.
2017-2020 Chief Schools Officer, School District of Philadelphia, Pa.
2015-2017 Chief Academic Officer, Pasadena Unified School District, Calif.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in English – University of Houston
Master’s degree in Secondary Education – University of Houston
Master’s degree in Human Resource Development – Villanova University
Doctoral degree in Curriculum & Instruction – University of Houston
Alison E. Breedy-Johnson, Esq., Deputy Superintendent
Employment:
2025-Present Associate Superintendent of Teaching, Learning & Innovation, Danbury Public Schools, Conn.
2023-2025 Executive Director, Leadership Development,Norwalk Public Schools, Conn.
1999-2023 Deputy Superintendent, New York City Public Schools, N.Y.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Science – University of New Haven
Master’s degree in Science – University of New Haven
Juris Doctor – Pace University School of Law
Niccolo Dua, Chief Communications Officer
Employment:
2022-Present Director, Communications and Marketing, Norwalk Public Schools, Conn.
2015-2022 Senior Director, Communications, Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology
2010-2015 Director, Electronic Communications, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems – Marist College
Dr. Kimberly J. Erickson, Executive Director of Visioning and Strategy
Employment:
2025-Present Director, Data Strategy and Accountability, Norwalk Public Schools, Conn.
2023-20255 Data Analyst, Norwalk Public Schools, Conn.
2021-2022 Director, Special, BelovED Community Charter School Jersey City, N.J.
2020-2021 Third Grade Special Education Teacher, BelovED Community Charter School Jersey City, N.J.
2016-2020 Third Grade Teacher, Cascadia Elementary School for Highly Capable Cohort Seattle Public Schools, Wash.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration - University of Washington
Master's degree in Teaching - University of Washington
Master’s degree in Special Education – Seattle University
Doctoral degree in Leadership and Learning in Organizations – Vanderbilt University
Dr. Rodney Jordan, Cluster Superintendent
GCPS Employment:
2023-Present Principal, South Gwinnett High School
Other Employment:
2018-2023 Principal, Clayton County Public Schools, Ga.
2014-201 Assistant Principal, DeKalb County School District, Ga.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice – Eastern Michigan University
Master’s degree in Special Education – Clark Atlanta University
Master’s degree in Educational Leadership – Georgia Southern University
Specialist degree in Educational Leadership – Columbus State University
Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Leadership – Columbus State University
Dr. Jordan is a graduate of the 2024 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 17.
Lissette C. McRea, Cluster Superintendent
GCPS Employment:
2022-Present Principal, Rockbridge Elementary School
2018-2022 Assistant Principal, Pinckneyville Middle School
2017-2018 Teacher, Coleman Middle School
2010-2014 Teacher, Berkmar Middle School
2004-2010 Teacher, Lilburn Middle School
Other Employment:
2014-2017 Teacher, City Schools of Decatur, Ga.
2000-2004 Teacher, Petal School District, Miss.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in education – University of Southern Mississippi
Master’s degree in education – Lesley University
Specialist degree in educational leadership – Georgia State University
McRea is a graduate of the 2023 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 16, and the 2019 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Leader Program, Cohort 10.
Mary-Anne Sheppard, Chief of Schools
Employment:
2021-Present Executive Director, Leadership Development, Norwalk Public Schools, Conn.
2020-2021 Interim Superintendent, NYC Community School District 2, N.Y.
2019-2020 Deputy Superintendent, NYC Community School District 2, N.Y.
2015-2019 Field Support Liaison / Chief of Staff, NYC Community School District 2, N.Y.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology – George Washington University
Master’s degree in Education – Hunter College