Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) announced today the appointment of six veteran educational leaders as new elementary school principal supervisors.
Desiree’ Bush, Penny Espinosa, Courtney Grace, Dr. LaMesa Marks-Johns, Beth Palmer, and Kimberly Slusher will begin their new roles effective July 1.
These administrators will provide strategic oversight, mentorship, and systematic support to elementary school principals and leaders across the district, driving instructional excellence, fostering equitable school cultures, and accelerating student achievement.
"We are thrilled to welcome these six outstanding educational leaders into their new roles as principal supervisors," said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood. "Each of these individuals brings a proven track record of instructional excellence, a deep commitment to educational equity, and years of dedicated service to the students and families of Jefferson County. By working directly with our principals to build leadership capacity and refine instructional practices, they will play a vital role in ensuring that every school has the support needed to help our students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally."
The newly appointed principal supervisors are:
Desiree' Bush
Desiree' Bush brings more than 20 years of experience in educational leadership, instructional improvement, and professional development to her new role.
Since January 2021, Bush has served as Executive Administrator for Zone 1 Schools at JCPS, where she supervises principals and supports 25 schools in advancing student achievement, strengthening instructional practices, and implementing District priorities. Through her leadership, she has focused on building principal capacity, fostering equitable learning environments, and driving continuous improvement through data-informed decision making and high-quality instructional practices.
Prior to her district leadership role, Bush served as both principal and assistant principal at McFerran Preparatory Academy, where she developed a strong foundation in school leadership, student-centered practices, and community engagement.
Bush holds a Rank I certification through Indiana Wesleyan University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Spalding University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Louisville.
"What excites me most is the opportunity to continue partnering with principals and school leadership teams to create learning environments where every student is supported, valued, and challenged to reach their fullest potential," Bush said. "Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the transformative impact of strong leadership, meaningful relationships, and a relentless commitment to excellence and equity. I look forward to continuing this work and supporting schools in ensuring every student has access to the opportunities and experiences needed to thrive."
Penny Espinosa
Penny Espinosa has built a legacy of academic achievement during her tenure as principal of Wheeler Elementary School, a role she has held since May 2013. Prior to that, she also served as the school’s assistant principal, and has also held elementary literacy resource teacher and instructional coach roles in JCPS.
Under her leadership, Wheeler Elementary achieved "green" proficient and "blue" distinguished ratings based on state assessment data. Espinosa also spearheaded work to cultivate collaborative teacher teams, deploying high-impact lab classrooms, and organizing instructional rounds designed to empower students to lead their own learning.
She holds a Rank I in Educational Administration, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, all from the University of Louisville.
"I am excited to partner with principals and leadership teams to build, refine, and scale impactful instructional systems that drive high levels of learning,” Espinosa said. “My goal is to empower school leaders through strategic support and data-driven feedback, championing them as the catalysts for student success.”
Courtney Grace
Courtney Grace has 20 years of experience in JCPS, 15 of those spent driving school improvement and student achievement as a transformational, servant instructional leader in diverse, high-needs settings.
Since 2019, she has served as the principal of Hazelwood Elementary, where she established robust systems for curriculum implementation, continuous monitoring, and rigorous data analysis. Her foundational leadership roles also include serving as assistant principal at Hazelwood and a goal clarity coach at Lincoln Performing Arts School.
Grace holds a Level 2 Instructional Leadership Certification from Bellarmine University, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University Southeast, and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Kentucky.
“I am deeply appreciative of the leaders, teachers, staff, students, and families who make JCPS such a special place, and I am honored to contribute to a mission that positively impacts so many lives,” Grace said. “With gratitude and unwavering dedication, I look forward to partnering with school leaders and teams to build capacity, strengthen and support systems to ensure every JCPS student has equitable access to high-quality instruction.”
Dr. LaMesa Marks-Johns
Dr. LaMesa Marks-Johns brings a wealth of systemic and institutional expertise to her new role, having served as the JCPS Elementary Assistant Superintendent of Zone 1 schools since September 2020, where she oversaw 25 schools.
Her career with JCPS spans more than two decades and includes serving as the principal of McFerran Preparatory Academy for seven and a half years, a specialist of Social Emotional Learning and Trauma-Informed Care, a classroom teacher at Shacklette Elementary, and a highly skilled educator for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).
She holds a Doctor of Education degree from Spalding University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching and bachelor’s degree, both from the University of Louisville. She was honored as a Milken Educator Award recipient in 2007.
"I am passionate about working alongside school leaders to build the capacity of educators, use data to inform decision-making, and implement instructional practices that accelerate student achievement,” Marks-Johns said. “I am committed to supporting school leaders in creating environments where students thrive, families are valued partners, and staff members feel supported in their professional growth. Together, we can continue to improve outcomes for every learner and ensure that each student is prepared for future success."
Beth Palmer
Beth Palmer transitions to the principal supervisor team following a successful decade-long tenure as the principal of Medora Elementary School.
Known as an equity-minded leader and strategic planner, Palmer previously served as Medora’s assistant principal, as a goal clarity coach at Slaughter Elementary, as a Care for Kids resource teacher and a teacher at Lincoln Performing Arts School. Her leadership extensions across the district include representing Zone 1 on the Principal Communication Committee, serving as an Academic Principal Advisory member, and participating in the Wallace Foundation Equity Professional Learning Community.
Palmer holds an Ed.S. and Master of Education degree from the University of Louisville and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mississippi State University.
"Supporting principals is meaningful work because they play a critical role in shaping school culture, student success, and the conditions that allow teachers to thrive,” Palmer said. “Teachers are the most important change agents in our schools, and I look forward to partnering with principals to strengthen teaching and learning across Region 1. I am committed to listening, building strong relationships, and working alongside school leaders to ensure every student, every year has access to an exceptional educational experience."
Kimberly Slusher
Kimberly Slusher is a longtime JCPS educator who currently serves as principal of Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary School. Under her instructional leadership, the school was ranked the #1 Elementary School in Kentucky by U.S. News & World Report, achieved Gold Status for social-emotional learning (SEL), and earned Rainbow Ribbon Recognition.
Slusher is a collaborative, equity-minded instructional leader who has actively contributed to district-wide growth through her involvement in the PIMSER Numeracy Cohort, the GLEC Co-Teaching Cohort, and the JCPS District Progression, Promotion & Graduation Policy Committee.
Prior to joining Greathouse, Slusher worked as an assistant principal at Dunn Elementary and as a classroom teacher at multiple JCPS schools.
She holds a Rank 1 in Literacy Education, a master’s degree in education with a reading and writing endorsement from the University of Louisville, and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Kentucky.
"Throughout my career, I have been driven by a commitment to students and the educators who serve them,” Slusher said. “This role allows me to expand that impact by supporting principals as they lead their schools. I look forward to building strong relationships, developing leadership capacity, and ensuring every student has access to excellent instruction, meaningful opportunities, and a school community where they can thrive.”