Dr. Thigpen prepares as new Kemper County principal

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By Steve Swogetinsky

The Kemper County 

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Dr. Kory Thigpen has spent the past month getting to know his students and staff as he prepares for his first year as principal at Kemper County High School.

That has been a little difficult with the school being closed because of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

“We have been using a variety of social media outlets to contact our students,” Thigpen said. “We are trying to hold our numbers and see what we are actually have for the school year. I have enjoyed working with the staff members here. We are making some changes as to how the building looks with hope of developing a strong climate for learning,” Thigpen said.

He said that includes improvements on the grounds and around the building, giving students a place they feel good about. But they must also feel safe.

“This is the year that we are going to have to take precautions,” Thigpen said. “School won’t look like it used to this year, and I don’t know if it ever will.”

 Thigpen has been in education for 16 years.  He grew in Taylorsville where he went to high school, Thigpen went on to Jones County Junior College where he played football during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He went on to Jacksonville State where an ankle injury ended his football career, He later transferred to Southern Mississippi where he received his Bachelor’s degree, He went on to earn his advanced degrees from William Carey.

The Kemper County School District has announced that the 2020-2021 school year will begin online August 10, on the district’s online platform. Instructional packets (paper copy) will be made available to any student who does not have internet access. Face-to-Face learning will start on Thursday, August 27, for all students, PreK-12, according to a recent district press release.

“Right now, we are making sure that our students and staff are safe,” Thigpen said. “We want parents to know we are taking care of them so they will feel safe sending them. Then we will let the educational process take care of itself.”

Thigpen comes to Kemper County after serving as assistant principal last year at Taylorsville.

His prior appointments include working at Oak Grove Middle School, Oak Grove High School, Bay Springs High School, Northeast Jones Middle School, Northeast Jones High School, Laurel Middle School, and Prentiss High School.

Dr. Thigpen is married to Santana Thigpen and they have two sons (Kory Jr. and Kaeden) and two daughters (Kelsey and Keiara).

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