Level 5 and Thriving: Dr. Fabre Ford Leads East Junior High to Continued Success
In October during National Principal Appreciation Month, Dr. Fabre Ford, a Bolivar native and a Class of 2000 Bolivar Central High School graduate, was recognized by Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) along with six other principals, all female, for creating “safe, supportive, and high achieving learning environments for all students.” This school year, Dr. Ford began her second year as principal at East Junior High School, which is now a Level 5 school. Dr. Ford’s ongoing commitment to educating students and valuing her staff and teachers has led to continued success at East Junior High and she hopes to change the perception of the school.
Dr. Fabre Ford has spent the entirety of her career in education working in the Fayette County Public School (FCPS) system.
“When I came to East, it was a Level 1 school. We were at the bottom,” said Dr. Ford who has been in education for 21 years and understands the importance of a school’s performance level. “I wanted to change the perception of East, and I knew in order to do that, we had to change the culture. Once we worked on the culture, the academics would fall into place.”
Promoting change is not an easy task, but fortunately, Dr. Ford has a willing staff and teachers behind her, who have supported her efforts. Focusing on three key academic elements contributed to student improvement during the 2024/2025 school year.
“We focused on the Tennessee State Standards, making sure those were being covered every day. That was our biggest thing. We made sure the standard was using kid friendly language for them [students] to understand what they were learning that day. We also focused on our target kids, who are kids where potential is seen, and we encouraged them. The kids bought in and wanted to be a part of that group,” said Dr. Ford, who noted the children grew excited about that special recognition. “The first nine weeks were rough. And you can see, it helped us out. For the 2024/2025 school year, we are a Level 5 school!”
Moving from a Level 1 school to a Level 5 school in one academic year is a huge accomplishment and does not just happen. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and East Junior High found its rhythm If you ask any of the staff or teachers at East Junior High, several of them will be eager to share why they think that happened at their school.
“A school doesn’t get to where it is without an excellent leader. But not only an excellent leader, but someone who listens to her staff, listens to her teachers, makes sure we’re fully supported, and it doesn’t hurt that she writes grants to make sure that we know that we have worth monetarily,” said Civil Miller-Watkins, an eighth grade math teacher, who has been at East for three and one half years. “Outside of that, you come to school and you have a principal, and staff who are about one goal and that is growing our children. It is not necessarily about the test. It is about that growth journey. We have an excellent leader here who leads wonderful staff and teachers and what a great combination. You can’t help but be a level 5.”
Ms. Lashanta Walker teaches Physical Education at East. She worked at the school during the 2004/2005 and 2014/2015 school years, and since 2024/2025. Ms. Walker was quick to share some reasons she believes Dr. Ford has made a significant difference in the culture of the school.
“Like Ms. Watkins says, it is the leadership! Dr. Ford is out, active with the students, and in the hallways. Whatever she can do, she is doing it. She is leading and supporting us,“ said Ms. Walker, who shared noticeable leadership differences of her years at East. “She is more hands-on and actively involved with us and the kids. There is no job too small for her. It starts with the head and trickles on down. We have one of the best staff and it’s one of the best I have ever worked with. I really enjoy coming to work.”
Crystal Johnson teaches seventh grade math and a class of eighth grade Algebra I. She has been back at East, for the second time, for the past six years.
“Dr. Ford is amazing and not enough will be able to be said about her. Her leadership is beyond compare and what has really made a difference is primarily her push for academics over anything else. I’ve had other principals that did that as well, but not to the extent that Dr. Ford has. We have really been able to push the academic needle by holding students more accountable,” said Ms. Johnson, who noted she has spent a total of 16 years at East.
Mr. Marcus Hunt teaches sixth grade math and aspires to be a principal one day.
“I love the way Dr. Ford is involved in school and how she is involved throughout the community. I love the fact that here at school, we are always supported. She is a very good role model and I’m looking and learning something new from her every day,” said Mr. Hunt.
Nicole Banks teaches eighth grade social studies and has been at East for 25 years. She loves the care Dr. Ford has for the students, staff, and teachers, and the hard work she has put into the school.
“East is my home! There is no other better school in Fayette County or in West Tennessee as East Junior High,” said Ms. Banks.
Despite the overwhelming praise from others, Dr. Ford is quick to move the spotlight in a different direction. Dr. Ford shared why she believes East is a Level 5 school.
“Everybody rallied behind each other, and we came together as a family. It wasn’t just an “I”. They did it! We see potential in our kids, and we just have to push them and motivate them. They stayed after school for tutoring. We even offered Saturday School, but kids don’t like to come to school on Saturday,” said Dr. Ford with a smile. “We work together as a team. With the support from the faculty, staff, and of course God, we did it!”
Dr. Ford made another significant change at East. Student cell phones are not permitted on campus.
“We took away cell phones. We were the first school in the district to say no cell phones last school year. That really helped us out. It forced them [students] to talk to each other. So, they had to interact with their peers, and I feel like that helped us too,” said Dr. Ford.
At the beginning of the school year, Dr. Ford, her staff, and teachers made an announcement to the students about the school earning Level 5 status. The response from the students was a shared sense of accomplishment. To celebrate and award the children, SouthMemphis HypeMan was invited to perform for the students.
“Our goal this school year is to maintain that status because we don’t want to go back. I want the community to know what we are doing over here at East. They don’t realize the hard work that goes on inside of this building. They don’t realize we have great faculty and staff. I want the community to know we are working hard over here,” said Dr. Ford, who shared words of encouragement for her students who now attend a Level 5 school. “Continue to push forward. Accept the challenge and you will be able to achieve anything!”
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