Chase named Director of Middle School Services and Assistant Director of Federal Programs
JANS – Crystal Chase has been named Madison County Schools’ Director of Middle School Services and Assistant Director of Federal Programs. Chase comes to this role with more than two decades of celebrated experience in Madison County Schools as a teacher, assistant principal, and lead principal of two campuses: Old Town Middle School and Ridgeland High School. Through these varied leadership roles, Chase has firsthand experience with the positive impact of federal programs, and she is well-equipped to support and serve middle schools throughout the district.
Madison County Schools is home to four middle school campuses: Germantown Middle School, Madison Middle School, Old Town Middle School, and Shirley D. Simmons Middle School.
“What excites me about this position is the opportunity to serve in a capacity that allows me the chance to help fulfill the mission of MCS with multiple stakeholders,” says Chase. “I am excited to be able to motivate and assist middle school administrators. I am also eager to be a resource to teachers so that they can best educate our students. The opportunity to help our students to see the importance of graduating and to support them through our dropout prevention plan to stay the course until that happens is what I’m looking forward to the most.”
As an educational leader, Chase has shared her knowledge via numerous professional development trainings and conference presentations and has received top recognition for her work. In 2018, she was named the Mississippi Association of Secondary School Principals’ Middle School Principal of the Year and in 2019 was recognized as Madison County Schools’ District Administrator of the Year while principal of Old Town Middle School. As principal of Ridgeland High School she was named Mississippi College’s 2024 Mississippi Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE) Outstanding Administrator of the Year.
“Mrs. Chase is an exemplary school leader with the experience and drive to support middle school administrators as well as faculty, staff, and students throughout the district. Her dedication, knowledge, and enthusiasm make her a perfect fit for the office of federal programs in its important work to provide resources in support of student success,” says Madison County Schools Superintendent Ted Poore.
Chase is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi College, and she is an active member of her church community where she serves as a Sunday school teacher and directs the ministry of music. She and her husband are proud parents to three sons, one of whom is a graduate of Ridgeland High School. Chase will begin her new role in Madison County Schools in July.
