Alicia Hinson- Bio

“All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have
an equal opportunity to develop our talent.”   John F. Kennedy

Alicia Hinson currently serves as Principal of Newman Elementary in Mansfield, Ohio where she has been instrumental in substantially improving student academic performance.  Upon arriving to Mansfield in June 2007, Newman Elementary had been in Academic Watch for several years.  Under her leadership, the school made progress and is in Continuous Improvement for the second year and met AYP.  The school was six-tenths of a point away from being rated effective, which is a milestone for the district. As the instructional leader, Ms. Hinson worked collaboratively with staff and district personnel to provide quality instruction, intensive interventions, professional development opportunities, analyzed and progress monitored student data in a Professional Learning Community setting to close the achievement gap.

Ms. Hinson was a panel guest speaker in Washington, D.C. in December 2009, at a capstone event for a five-year study of schools in restructuring under NCLB.  Principals from six states worked closely with the Center on Education Policy that were designated as being among the nation’s lowest performing schools that was successful in improving and closing the achievement gap.  Ms. Hinson, along with her colleagues were very vocal in a plea to the state and federal government to continue funding schools coming out of restructuring for several years to continue to build upon the success of the students to encourage them to strive for high academic achievement.  Ms. Hinson contributed feedback to the forum committee and guests as indicated in the summary “Improving Low-Performing Schools: Summary of a Forum.”

She prides herself on the vast experiences of being an educator in many capacities.  She was formerly a second and third grade teacher, Standards Coach, and a Middle School Assistant Principal.  She has been an integral part of the Magnet Schools programs in the Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida, ranging from Micro-Society, Performing Arts, French/Spanish Immersion, and the authorization of a Middle Years International Baccalaureate Program; all in urban school settings that inspired her to continue to demand academic rigor in the teaching and learning process for all students.

Ms. Hinson holds a Superintendent’s License through Ashland University, Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, both from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida.

She is a proud member of the Jacksonville (FL) Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and has served on several committees including Membership, Founders Day, Health & Fitness, International Awareness & Involvement, Dr. Betty Shabazz Mentoring Academy, Projects and Statewide Founders Day.