Petal Schools promote Keyes to assistant middle school principal

(The following is a press release from the Petal School District.)

PETAL, Miss. – During its meeting on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, the Petal School District Board of Trustees approved the promotion of Genae Keyes to assistant principal at Petal Middle School, effective July 1, 2021. Keyes most recently served as a Behavioral Resource Teacher at Petal Upper Elementary for the last five years.

After joining Petal Upper Elementary in 2016, Keyes chaired the Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team and led one of its Professional Learning Communities for four years. She began her education career in 2014 as a fourth and fifth grade special education teacher at Dixie Attendance Center. Keyes is an AmeriCorps alumnus, where she served for two years and was voted Team Leader of the Year in 2011.

“I have had the pleasure of experiencing the Petal School District as a parent, a teacher and now as an administrator. I am excited about my new role as assistant principal and honored to serve,” said Keyes.

“Mrs. Keyes is an excellent addition to our team,” said Tyler Watkins, principal of Petal Middle School. “She brings with her a wealth of content knowledge across all disciplines and is an expert in the field of special education. I am excited about working with her and can't wait to see what she brings to the students and teachers at Petal Middle School.”

Keyes is a three-time graduate of William Carey University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Education in Mid to Moderate Disabilities and a Specialist in Education degree.