Mrs. Jessica Rayner-Holmes, who currently serves as Principal of Dermott High School, has been appointed to lead Seventh Street Elementary School next school year. The Board of Education approved this appointment at its May Regular Board Meeting.
“I am truly excited about this opportunity to serve the students, staff, families, and community of Seventh Street Elementary School,” said Rayner-Holmes. “I want to thank Dr. Pilewski, Dr. Hooper, the Board of Education, and all of the individuals who played a role in the interview process that resulted in my joining the North Little Rock School District.”
Mrs. Rayner-Holmes’ appointment comes at a critical moment in the history of Seventh Street Elementary School. In an effort to reverse lagging achievement scores, the Board of Education approved the Superintendent’s recommendation to restructure the Pre-K through fifth grade campus. This new, transformational approach will allow the campus to become an academic-themed community school for high-interest, project-based learning at each grade level. Under the guidance of a Community Advisory Board (CAB), students will earn future-ready endorsements due to collaboration with industry and business experts, who will assist in providing hands-on learning opportunities. Click on this link to learn more about this new concept for Seventh Street Elementary School.
“We are excited about this first-of-its-kind model in our district and the skills that Mrs. Rayner-Holmes brings to the table. Her steadfast leadership, creativity, and enthusiasm for teaching and learning will be invaluable as we turn around this campus,” said Gregory J. Pilewski, Ed.D., the Superintendent of the North Little Rock School District.
Mrs. Rayner-Holmes has been leading her alma mater since 2021. Before that, she served as the High School Business Education Teacher at Dermott High School, which houses students in grades seven through twelve. Mrs. Rayner-Holmes’ career in education began as a Mathematics Lead Teacher at Robert F. Morehead Middle School, which was formerly a part of the Dollarway School District. (The Dollarway School District merged with the Pine Bluff School District in 2021.)
Mrs. Rayner-Holmes earned two Master of Education degrees from the University of Monticello: one in Educational Leadership and one in Teacher Leader. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration/Management from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Mrs. Rayner-Holmes and her husband, Vincent, have four children.