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Our Leadership Team
 

The Kirkland Group is led by experienced leaders who are committed to strengthening schools, supporting educators, and inspiring student success.

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Carla Kirkland

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

An Experienced Leader Driving Meaningful Educational Transformation

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Carla Kirkland is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Kirkland Group, a nationally recognized educational consulting firm she established in 1997. For nearly three decades, she has led the firm in partnering with school districts to improve teaching,
learning, leadership, and student achievement through professional development, instructional coaching, and strategic educational support.


A respected educator and business leader, Carla brings decades of classroom and administrative experience to her work. She is also the co-founder of the Cleveland Empowerment Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational
and workforce development opportunities for low-income and at-risk Mississippians. Her leadership extends beyond education through service on the Woodward Hines Board of Directors, as Vice Chair of the Alcorn State University Foundation Board, and as Chair of the Alcorn State Women’s Business Center Board. She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated, and the Jack and Jill of America
Associates.


Carla earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Alcorn State University and a Master of Science in Teaching from Jackson State University. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program and the co-author of Praxis Core For Dummies, Praxis Elementary Education For Dummies, and 1,001 Praxis Core Practice Questions For Dummies.


Her honors include being recognized as one of Mississippi's Most Influential African Americans, receiving the Woman of Distinction Laureate Award from the Girl Scouts of America, and being honored as a Woman of Courage by Alcorn State University.
Carla treasures her family and considers one of life's greatest blessings to have been the wife of the late Malcoln Kirkland, Sr., the proud mother of Alexia and the late Malcoln Kirkland, Jr., and the devoted grandmother of Collin.

Project

Manager

Cathy C. Braboy, Ed.S., MAT

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Cathy C. Braboy, Ed.S., MAT, is a strategic educational leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing student achievement, strengthening instructional systems, and leading large-scale educational initiatives. She has held leadership roles with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson Public Schools, and the Mississippi Department of Education, where she has driven innovation, secured grant funding, and delivered measurable results. Cathy holds advanced degrees in Educational Leadership and Teaching from Jackson State University and is a certified Mississippi educator and administrator.

Executive Vice

President

Chan Cleveland

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Chan Cleveland serves as Executive Vice President of The Kirkland Group, where he leads operations, business development, strategic partnerships, and educational consulting initiatives that help school districts improve instruction and student achievement. With more than 25 years of experience in education and leadership, he has served as an educator, consultant, teacher recruiter, and state education leader. Chan is also the co-author of three For Dummies Praxis exam preparation books and is committed to developing high-performing educators and school leaders.

Director of District and School Performance

and Accountability

Dr. Miskia Davis

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Dr. Miskia Davis is an accomplished educational leader with more than 25 years of experience in instructional leadership, school improvement, and data-driven accountability. As Director of District and School Performance and Accountability at The Kirkland Group, she leads the Strategic Performance & Data Accountability Division, partnering with districts to strengthen leadership, improve instructional practices, and increase student achievement. She brings extensive experience as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, with a passion for helping schools achieve lasting success.

Technology

Director 

Marvin Elder II

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Marvin Elder II serves as the Technology Director and Mathematics Consultant for The Kirkland Group, partnering with school districts to strengthen instruction, integrate technology, and improve student outcomes through practical, data-informed solutions. Known for his collaborative leadership and innovative approach, he helps educators and school leaders solve complex challenges through strategic planning, technology integration, and impactful professional learning. Guided by his faith and commitment to service, Marvin is passionate about helping schools build strong systems that drive lasting success.

ELA Chair
(K-5)

Presha Elder

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Presha Elder is an experienced education consultant specializing in elementary literacy, mathematics, and high-quality instructional materials. A native of Thomastown, Mississippi, she earned her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Alcorn State University. Presha supports educators through professional development, coaching, planning, and data-driven instructional planning, with a passion for helping teachers improve student learning and achievement. 

Vice President of

Special Projects

Dr. Trecina Green

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Dr. Trecina Green serves as Vice President of Special Projects for The Kirkland Group, partnering with school districts across the Southeast to strengthen curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development. With more than 14 years of executive leadership experience at the Mississippi Department of Education, she has held numerous senior leadership roles and provided oversight for the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science and the Mississippi School for the Arts. She helps districts improve instruction, raise student achievement, and build sustainable systems for long-term success.

Chief Academic

Officer

Angelia Johnson

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Coach Angelia Johnson is a respected mathematics education consultant, instructional coach, and curriculum developer with more than 20 years of experience helping schools improve teaching, learning, and student achievement. A multiple-time Teacher of the Year honoree, she equips educators with practical, research-based strategies through professional learning, instructional coaching, and curriculum development. Guided by her "Teach Like A Coach" philosophy, Coach Johnson empowers educators to strengthen instruction and prepare students for success in school and beyond.

Director of District and School

Performance and Accountability

Dylan Jones

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Dylan Jones is an accomplished educational leader with more than a decade of experience using technology, data analytics, and strategic planning to improve student achievement and district performance. As Director of District and School Performance and Accountability at The Kirkland Group, he helps districts implement data-driven strategies, accountability systems, and sustainable improvement plans. He previously developed a data analysis platform that helped move Sunflower County Consolidated School District from an “F” to a “B” rating and holds advanced degrees in Educational Administration and Supervision from Delta State University.

Project

Manager

Dr. Marnetta Smith McIntyre

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Dr. Marnetta Smith McIntyre is an accomplished educator and educational consultant with more than 40 years of experience serving in public education as a teacher, principal, district leader, and project manager. She holds bachelor's, master's, and specialist degrees from Jackson State University and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Mississippi College. Guided by her faith and a servant's heart, Dr. McIntyre is passionate about empowering others and helping schools, leaders, and educators achieve excellence.

Project

Manager

Dr. Pam Simon

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Dr. Pam Simon is an accomplished educational executive with more than 25 years of experience leading K–12 education, district administration, and state and federal education initiatives. She has successfully directed large-scale instructional programs, managed multimillion-dollar budgets and grant funding, and built strategic partnerships that strengthen student achievement, educator effectiveness, and organizational performance. Dr. Simon holds a Ph.D. in K–12 Educational Administration and is committed to advancing educational excellence through visionary leadership and continuous improvement.

Math Chair

(K-12)

Dr. Carrie Hammond-Walker

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Dr. Carrie Hammond-Walker is an accomplished educator, instructional leader, and educational consultant with more than 20 years of experience improving teaching, learning, and student achievement. Through The Kirkland Group, she partners with schools and districts to provide professional development, instructional coaching, leadership support, and data-driven school improvement strategies that deliver measurable results. Known for her energetic presentation style and practical, research-based approach, Dr. Hammond-Walker equips educators with strategies they can implement immediately to improve student success.

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What Makes Us Different

Partnerships. Expertise. Lasting Impact.

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Are You Ready to Stregthen Outcomes Across Schools

Let's build a partnership that transforms teaching

and elevates student success

We Lead with Relationships

Strong partnerships are the foundation of meaningful educational change.

We Customize Every Solution

No two schools are alike. Our support is tailored to meet your unique needs and goals.

We Focus on Practical Implementation

We help educators move from theory to action with strategies that work in real classrooms.

We Deliver Sustainable Results

Our work builds long-term capacity that continues long after the engagement ends.

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