May 26, 2022 - During the May 24, 2022 Board of Education meeting, Shinita Jones was approved as the new Jennings School District Partner District Director. Jones has been part of the District since July 2020, as an area coordinator for the Hazelwood School District. Dr. Tonya Nalls will be retiring at the end of the 2021-22 school year.

In her current position, Jones collaborates with partner district administrators, SSD staff, and families to ensure effective practices and strong linkages in the special education classrooms of Hazelwood School District. She assists in planning and providing in-service programs for families, staff, and partner district personnel. 

Before joining SSD’s staff as an area coordinator, Jones spent six years at St. Louis Public schools as a special education process coordinator. In this role, she ensured provisions of appropriate special education and related services for students eligible for special education services, supervising 14 school-based sites. She has also served as a special education teacher in Lindbergh and Ferguson-Florissant school districts, as well as a homebound instructor. 

Jones holds an educational specialist in educational leadership and a masters in special education from Webster University, a masters in rehabilitation counseling from Maryville University, and a bachelor's in biology and health sciences from Stephens College.

“I am looking forward to the partnership with Special School District of St. Louis County and Jennings School District, supporting and collaborating with students, families, and educational stakeholders, to ensure the success of students academically, socially, and emotionally,” said Jones. “As a leader and educational stakeholder, it is important that I hold myself and others accountable for providing students with the quality of education that we require for our children.”