The Floyd County Board of Education announced at tonight’s special called meeting that Anna Whitaker Shepherd, Chief Early Childhood Officer, has been selected as Interim Superintendent for the district. Shepherd will begin serving immediately in this capacity.
Anna Shepherd has 29 years of experience in public education. She has served as a primary teacher, high school curriculum coordinator, a Highly Skilled Educator for Kentucky Department of Education assisting low performing schools/districts, a Gap Coach and curriculum lead in the district, member of the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council, Chief Early Childhood Officer and led district level programs.
Shepherd’s experience as an instructional leader comes from serving the students of Floyd County for most of her 29 years. She has experience in growing staff members, analyzing and using data to guide and improve instruction, and establishing professional learning communities. Shepherd has served on audit teams of district and schools from the state level and helped design training for principals and district level staff.
Shepherd has led a pilot program bringing kindergarten readiness activities virtually into homes to any Floyd County family with children from birth to age five. She was instrumental in registering over 2,500 children to receive a book per month through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Since 2016, Shepherd has helped provide opportunities for students through age 13 to keep learning actively during summer months through the Literacy, Learning and Lunch Program. In coordination with Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center she leads an effort to get a book, onesie and resources into the birthing packet of each new parent upon exiting the hospital with their newborn.
Shepherd is an active and founding member of the Floyd County Community Early Childhood Council and helps lead the region in engaging and relationship building activities with families. Prior to the beginning of the pandemic, Shepherd served as kindergarten transition coordinator and consultant with the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood and the Preschool Development Grant. Shepherd has also been selected to have her life story and accomplishments featured in a children’s book “Bluegrass Bold,” along with other Kentucky women leaders from around the state.
Shepherd received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees, Administrator of Pupil Personnel, Instructional Leadership-Supervisor of Instruction and Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education certifications from Morehead State University. She received her School Superintendent Certification from the University of Kentucky.
Shepherd comments, “I’m excited and honored to get to serve in this role for Floyd County Schools and look forward to working and partnering with the board members and staff, the students and parents and community members. We are committed to providing our children with an exceptional education and I want to ensure that our kids are prepared for success in an evolving and globally connected society.”
Anna’s adult daughter, Vanessa, is a graduate of Floyd County Schools. Her husband, Carlos Smith, is a Vietnam veteran and a retired U.S. Postal Service employee.