Dr. Lamar Goree has announced the newest leader of Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport.

She is Kristi Young, and she'll begin work immediately. According to a Caddo Schools news release, Young is a 2003 graduate of Grambling State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in social studies education.

She started her career at Mansfield Middle School in DeSoto Parish, where she was a summer school remediation teacher. From there, she moved to Woodlawn High School, where she taught social studies. She continued there until 2007, when she left to work under Caddo veteran Albert Hardison as a classroom teacher from 2007 to 2009.

Here's more about Young from the Caddo Schools news release:

When Green Oaks was converted to a seventh through 12th-grade campus, Young desired to be a part of the transformation and began working as a classroom teacher and social studies department head under Marvin Alexander when the school reopened in fall 2009. Meanwhile, Young maintained her commitment to fulfilling her own dream of securing a msater of educational leadership degree, which she completed in May 2010 at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. By 2012, Young had risen to the administrative level as an assistant principal of instruction, where she worked closely with Principal Marvin Alexander to change the moniker of failure that had long plagued the school.

"I am excited and grateful for this unique opportunity and challenge to take all that makes Booker T. Washington loved and revered and build on that immense history with a clear focus on improved academic opportunities for students," Young said. "This is more than a job to me. Dr. Goree has given me the freedom to paint a picture of what the future can be for Booker T. Washington, and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to create a strong plan of what that vision will entail."

Young said her top priority in her first year at the school will be to create a pathway in which every child will graduate with college credits through Advanced Placement, dual enrollment and CLEP opportunities. She also plans to recruit highly-qualified, certified teachers.

During her time working with Alexander at Green Oaks, the school's performance score rose from an F to a C. He is expecting nothing less than greatness from her in her new role.

"Mrs. Young has the ability to take students who have struggled academically and fallen two to three years behind and brought them to a level exceeding that of their peers," Alexander said. "She has been such an asset to Green Oaks and while we are sad to see her go, she is ready and had the ability to change Booker T. Washington for the better. Mark my words. She is going to do great things."

Superintendent Goree is excited about the possibilities with Young at the helm of Booker T.

"Between her extensive experience and academic knowledge, Mrs. Young has the background needed to make Booker T. Washington a progressive campus that can truly prepare all students for college and career," Dr. Goree said. "I am confident Mrs. Young is the right person to lead Booker T. Washington into the next chapter while building on the unparalleled legacy of this amazing school."

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