Founding Superintendent
Achievement School District
Dr. Wright earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science Secondary Education and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida; a Specialist degree in Special Education from the University of Florida; and a Doctor of Education degree in Leadership for Educational Equity with a specialization in Early Childhood Special Education Policy from the University of Colorado Denver. His research interests center on systems transformation, issues of equity and leadership in high-performing/high-poverty schools, over-representation, and early intervention for young students of color with or at-risk for behavioral related disabilities. From 1997 to 2001, Dr. Wright started his career as a 5th grade and middle school social studies teacher in Jacksonville, FL. He then served as an assistant principal with Alachua County Public Schools (Gainesville, FL), and as an elementary and secondary school principal for ten years with The Potter’s House Christian Academy (Jacksonville, FL), Duval County Public Schools (Jacksonville, FL), and with the District of Columbia Public Schools (Washington, D.C.). Dr. Wright established himself as an experienced turnaround school principal, successfully leading two elementary schools out of turnaround status through strategic partnerships, community and parental engagement, data-driven instruction, student and adult culture, and through a focus on early literacy. In 2017, Dr. Wright joined the Birmingham (Alabama) City School District as the Chief Academic and Accountability Officer where he led the school improvement process. Under his leadership, the system decreased the number of “F” rated schools from 22 to 5 and increased the number of schools rated “C” or above from 6 to 12, a 100% increase. On April 11, 2019, the Mississippi State Board of Education appointed Dr. Wright as the Founding Superintendent of the Achievement School District. Most importantly, Jermall is the proud father of Jaydon Jermall (17), Trinity Jael (15), and Joshuwa Jermall (13).