For the last three years as Principal of Jonesboro-Hodge High School, Chevonda Leonard, has tirelessly worked toward making her alma mater the best school it could be. As evidenced by her being named the Principal of the Year in Jackson Parish by the Louisiana Department of Education recently her efforts have been noticed.

“This completely caught me off guard,” said Leonard. “I am truly humbled and consider this quite an honor but this award shouldn’t be about only me but also the wonderful group of people that I work with and depend on.”

The 1986 graduate of Jonesboro-Hodge High School earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA in 1991, and a Master of Science degree in Developmental Education with a Concentration in Guidance and Counseling from Grambling State University in 2000.

Leonard also earned 30+ graduate hours from Grambling State University and is certified in Special Education, Business Education, guidance and counseling. She completed the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) Executive Development Program in 2018. I

In 2000 Leonard started working in the parish in special education and spent many years in the classroom until I assuming the role of guidance counselor at Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary and Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School. From there she was named assistant principal at Jonesboro-Hodge High School before becoming principal in 2018.