Amy Gee is Jefferson Schools' new superintendent

MONROE — Amy Gee of Newport, Jefferson School District's next superintendent, wants to bring back Jefferson Bear Pride.

“Successful school districts implore the student body to have a voice, too,” Gee said. “The foundation of this district is built on Bear Pride, and it needs to be brought back to the forefront. This will in turn increase staff morale and decrease student behaviors and truancy, which all in turn increases academic achievement.”

Gee, the current principal at Wayne-Westland Community Schools in Inkster, was selected by a board vote of 6-1 as Jefferson's new superintendent at a special school board meeting April 17. Her contract was approved at the April 23 school board meeting. Gee's start date is May 20.

Jefferson interviewed six superintendent candidates earlier this month. Previous superintendent Nelson A. Henry assumed the role on May 1, 2022, and resigned effective Dec. 31, 2023. Millie Grow is Jefferson's current interim superintendent.

Previous Coverage: Jefferson interviewing three superintendent candidates

Also interviewed for the superintendent job were: Dr. Catherine Cost, chief financial officer at K12 Media and former superintendent of Wyandotte Public Schools in Wyandotte, and David Raleigh, current superintendent of LaRue County Schools in Hodgenville, Ky. Later the district interviewed three more candidates: Sean Wightman, current principal of Dowagiac Middle School; Kristy Taylor, current principal at Jefferson Middle School; and Dwayne Richardson, current principal coach at Detroit Public Schools.

Previous Coverage: Jefferson Schools superintendent interviews on YouTube

Dan Stump, president of the Jefferson School District board, said the board was impressed with the quality of candidates.

"We entered the process concerned we might not find solid candidates and instead struggled to narrow to one. This gives us hope and optimism for the future for our schools and children," Stump said in a post on the district's Facebook page.

Gee is looking forward to joining the district.

"I am excited to bring positive support and shared leadership. Jefferson Schools are filled with phenomenal people, and they deserve to feel heard and welcomed on leadership teams that are part of the decision-making process. This includes the students, as well," Gee said.

Gee, who had been a special education teacher, also plans to work with the Monroe County Intermediate School District.

"The evening of my second interview, Dr. Stephen McNew, Monroe County ISD superintendent, emailed me to congratulate me on my new position and to tell me that he looks forward to partnering with me regarding my specific special education concerns between Jefferson and the ISD," Gee said. "I am so looking forward to making the ISD a big part of our Jefferson family."

Before becoming a principal, Gee taught for almost 10 years in Lincoln Park Public Schools, Ann Arbor Public Schools and Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.

"I was a special education teacher at the elementary, middle and high school levels," Gee said. "I taught children with severe multiple impairments (SXI), and I was also a cross-categorical teacher for children with cognitive impairments, autism and emotional impairments."

She made a point to teach at all academic levels.

"I had a goal to make sure that I taught at all levels before becoming a principal so I could relate to all staff," she said. "Once I taught all levels, I began my search to move my career forward to impact a whole school, instead of just my classroom."

She has been a principal for the last 11 years. Now, she hopes to have an even wider impact.

"I made the difficult decision to tell my current staff and district back in December that I was going to begin looking for a new position where I could have a more positive impact on children and staff from a much larger perspective. My current district and staff have been so supportive of this transition," Gee said. "I have been a principal for 11 years, and I just wanted a new challenge for myself."

Jefferson was Gee's first choice for a superintendent post. She is the daughter of Larry and Kathy Thiede of Erie. Gee and her family have lived in Newport for almost two years.

"Jefferson has been my primary interest since last year and the only district that I applied to for superintendent," she said. "I decided to reapply this time because this is the community I live in, and I have seen first-hand all the leadership changes that have taken place in the last couple years. I am committed to this community, and we will be at the top very soon. Our student body deserve the very best."

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Gee has a bachelor's degree is K-12 special education-cognitive impairment and K-8 general education. In 2008 she earned a master's degree in educational leadership. Both of her degrees are from Wayne State University.

She is married to Kevin Gee, who is an operations manager for Health Alliance Plan.

"Kevin and I have a blended family with five children," Gee said. "I have two stepsons: Cameron (24) and Cullen (20), and we have three daughters together: Camryn (17), Caisyn (10) and Coralyn (8)."

Gee is excited to start her tenure at Jefferson.

"The Jefferson community has been incredibly welcoming, and I am beyond proud and excited to begin the work with my new work family. My parents moved to Monroe County 20 years ago, so I am familiar with the area. My family moved to Newport in July, 2022, and it was the best decision we have ever made. We love this community," she said. "I am so excited to begin and meet all the amazing staff and students that will become my new Bear family. We have lots of work to do, but we will do it together, and together we can accomplish anything."

— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Amy Gee is Jefferson Schools' new superintendent