Board of Education Approves Hire of Dr. Colette Higgins as Director of Educational Access
The Rockwood Board of Education has approved the hiring of Dr. Colette Higgins as the new director of educational access, effective July 1. She replaces Dr. Cassandra Suggs, who has accepted a position outside of the school district.
Higgins is currently serving as the multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) coordinator at the Ferguson-Florissant School District, a position she has held for the past four years. Prior to that, she was a data strategist for the district for five years. Higgins also has three years of experience as an instructional coach at the middle and high school levels for charter schools in New York. Her teaching experience includes 14 years as an English language learner, English language arts and social studies teacher in both New York and Missouri. Higgins has actively engaged in MTSS and PBIS research through the University of Missouri and is currently serving on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) MSIP-6 Missouri Accreditation Committee.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History/Political Science and her Master of Arts in Teaching (Social Studies) from Fordham University, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Canisius College and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Lindenwood University.
"It is important to me to do meaningful work that aligns with my values,” said Higgins. “When Dr. Cain described the district's commitment to dignity and belonging for all students, I knew the director of educational access was the right role and that this is the right time for me to be joining the Rockwood School District community."
Higgins lives with her family in St. Louis.
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