March 7, 2012 (Jackson) - Dr. Jane Everly (‘85), principal of Davis Magnet Elementary, has been named the Jackson Public Schools Administrator of the Year. Everly graduated from Belhaven University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

Under Everly leadership, the school has achieved a Star School rating from the Mississippi Department of Education and was designated a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 2008.

Dr. Jayne B. Sargent, interim superintendent of Jackson Public Schools, said, “You can walk into Davis Magnet Elementary anytime and see that Dr. Everly is dedicated to her students and parents. She is certainly deserving of this honor, and we are very proud of her.”

She is a former gifted education teacher and coordinator for JPS and was an assistant principal at Woodville Heights Elementary from 2004 to 2007.

Everly said, "Real learning is about making connections to prior knowledge and across traditional subject lines. It is being able to apply skills, solve problems, create, and innovate." This philosophy was instrumental in her leading the school in the development of an arts integration focus through a partnership with Ask4More Arts.

Dr. Everly has had innovative ideas to get students involved and interested in learning. Recently, the school began a collaboration with the University of Mississippi Medical Center where medical professionals will come to the school to work with students in using the scientific inquiry to solve problems.

"Both the UMMC and Davis team members are thrilled about the opportunity to develop and sustain an interest in scientific inquiry and an early pipeline to medical school," she said.

Belhaven stands among the select Christian colleges and universities that offer a unique general core curriculum encouraging the development of a personal worldview. The university believes a Christian worldview is a key to preparing men and women academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.

Founded in 1883, Belhaven University now serves over 3,000 students from campuses in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, Atlanta and online, offering traditional undergraduate degrees, graduate and adult degree programs, and online degree programs.