Superintendent

Dear Hornet Family,

On behalf of the Cook County Board of Education, I would like to welcome you to Cook
County Schools. We are excited to kick off our 24-25 school year and look forward to
BIG things ahead.

I am so honored to have been blessed with the opportunity to serve as your Interim
Superintendent this year. I am surrounded by a BIG family full of Cook High School
graduates. My parents, siblings, husband, children, all eight nieces and nephews, and
myself are Cook High graduates. My husband Michael and I have been married for
almost 27 years, and we have three busy, amazing, and beautiful children, Hunter,
Hudson, and Hannah. In February, we also gained our beautiful daughter-in-law,
Kensley.

Cook County Schools has not only provided me with a wonderful career, but Cook
County educators have led and shaped the education and careers of my family. I
believe that we have the most committed, immersed, and dedicated faculty and staff
around.

I was born and raised on a farm in Cook County, spent my summers working in tobacco
with many of my friends, and graduated from Cook High School in 1990. At that point in
my life, like many Cook High seniors, I was “getting out of Cook County”! I attended
ABAC my freshman year of college and then transferred to Valdosta State University.
During my senior year at VSU, I realized my heart’s desire was to become a teacher
and return to my alma mater.

I began working with Cook County Schools in 1995 and taught Pre-K for 16 years. This
will be my 30th year in education, and I can honestly say that being an educator is the
most rewarding career. Throughout my years in Cook County, I have had many great
experiences: Pre-K and 1st grade teacher, K-5 Instructional Support Specialist,
Assistant Principal, Testing Director, Early Learning Center Director, Student
Achievement Director (including PK-12 curriculum, gifted, EIP/REP, TKES/LKES, and
CCRPI), and Assistant Superintendent. The most rewarding part of my journey has
been found in the life-long relationships that I have developed with my students,
parents, and colleagues.

This year, it is my honor to serve and lead our Hornet team as we strive to create a
safe, supportive environment for our students; to build and encourage positive
relationships; and to provide hands-on, meaningful experiences where our students
grow and develop academically, socially, and emotionally. Cook County’s educators are
called to make a difference in the lives of their students. Our teachers, faculty, and staff
work diligently for the Mission of our district which is To empower and inspire all
learners to achieve.

I want to emphasize the importance of communication between home and school. We
encourage our parents to stay informed about their child's progress through regular
updates from their teachers, parent-teacher conferences, and school events. We
encourage parents and community members to share your thoughts, concerns, and
ideas with us through our various communication channels.

We are committed to providing a comprehensive education that prepares our students
for success in academics, career, and life. We believe that every student deserves
access to high-quality education, support services, and resources that help them reach
their full potential.

We are excited to have you as part of our Hornet family and look forward to working
together to obtain the VISION of Cook County Schools that All students will succeed
through enrollment in higher education, enlistment in the military, or employment
in the workforce.

Our school system partners with our community stakeholders recognizing that every
individual has a unique voice and perspective. Throughout the year, the school will host
various events, activities, and programs to foster connections among students, families,
teachers, and staff. Some exciting initiatives include Family Literacy, Math, and STEM
nights; Hornet Parent Teacher Team (HPTT) meetings; and Baby Hornets. If you have
any questions or would like to get involved in any of these initiatives, please don't
hesitate to reach out to us at 229-896-2294.

Again, thank you for allowing me to serve as your Interim Superintendent.

ALWAYS BE
YOURSELF
UNLESS YOU CAN BE A
HORNET
THEN ALWAYS BE A HORNET!

Joy Joiner Folsom, Ed.S
Interim Superintendent