Jennifer Hagan Appointed Principal of Northside Early Childhood Center
Shelby County, KY — Shelby County Public Schools is excited to announce the appointment of Jennifer Hagan as the new Principal of Northside Early Childhood Center. With a Master’s Degree in Administration (Principal P-12) and a Rank I in Education Specialist in Administration and Literacy, Jennifer brings a wealth of expertise and experience to this important leadership role.
Jennifer was drawn to Shelby County Public Schools because of the tradition of a strong commitment to supporting early childhood education. “The district’s investment in high-quality programs and resources demonstrates a clear understanding of the importance of providing your learners with a strong foundation for future academic and social success. I appreciate how the district fosters collaboration between educators, families, and the community to create a nurturing and inclusive environment for all students. This dedication to early childhood education aligns with my own passion for ensuring that every child has access to the best possible start in life.”
Jennifer’s career in early childhood education spans several years, with a particular focus on program development and implementation. Most recently, she served as the Kentucky Department of Education’s Early Learning Unit Preschool Quality Coordinator, where she led the relaunch of the Kentucky State-Funded Preschool All Stars Program across the Commonwealth. In this role, she played a pivotal part in overseeing the program’s implementation, improving the process, and ensuring its impact on early childhood education throughout Kentucky.
Before her time with the Kentucky Department of Education, Jennifer worked as a teacher at the Bardstown City Schools Early Childhood Education Center, where she provided developmentally appropriate activities and services for 3- and 4-year-old preschool students. Her work involved assessing and meeting the individual needs of her students, developing and implementing individual education plans (IEPs), and building strong relationships with families to support each child’s growth and success.
In addition to her extensive teaching and administrative experience, Jennifer is trained in LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) for Early Childhood and has presented at several high-profile early childhood education events, including the GOEC Early Childhood Institute. She delivered presentations on topics such as "Transfiguring your Social Emotional Learning Approach with the Pyramid Model Framework" and "Early Literacy in Action," underscoring her commitment to advancing best practices in early childhood education.
Jennifer’s leadership style is described as nurturing, collaborative, and growth-centered. "I believe in creating a warm and welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and supported," she explains. "Collaboration is key, and I make it a priority to work closely with teachers, parents, and the community. Open communication is essential, and seeking out feedback from all involved will ensure we are aligned in our mission to support children’s development."
“I want to be a leader with vision, always thinking about the future and how we can continually improve," Jennifer continues. "I stay current on best practices in early childhood education and encourage my team to do the same. I am deeply committed to providing an environment where every child’s needs are met and staff have the resources needed to succeed."
As the Principal of Northside Early Childhood Center, Jennifer wants to focus on creating a school culture centered on growth and development for all members of the school community. She believes in the importance of a supportive and inclusive environment where both children and educators can thrive.
Reflecting on her work with the Kentucky State-Funded All-Star program, Jennifer shares, "Leading the work on the All-Star program was an incredibly rewarding experience that allowed me to contribute directly to the growth and development of early childhood education in Kentucky. My role involved researching best practices, collaborating with experts, and working closely with Regional Training Centers and local school districts to help them understand the program's benefits. Ensuring that the program was inclusive and responsive to the needs of providers and students was a top priority."
Dr. Matthews, Superintendent of Shelby County Public Schools, said, “I want to thank our leadership team and the Northside selection committee for their dedication and hard work during the principal selection process. We were fortunate to have an outstanding pool of candidates, but Mrs. Hagan truly stood out. Her career, from her time as a classroom teacher to her leadership role at KDE, has been deeply focused on early childhood education. I am confident she will excel in upholding and advancing the tradition of excellence at Northside Early Childhood Center.”
Shelby County Public Schools is thrilled to welcome Jennifer Hagan as the new Principal of Northside Early Childhood Center and looks forward to the school's continued success under her leadership.