Greetings Families!

It is with great pride and excitement that I write this letter of introduction as your principal! I represent the green house, the house of courage. I-S-I...B-I-N-D-I!!! Year one at Mt. Vernon was totally awesome! I am super excited to embark on another amazing journey with each of you! I am honored to continue the work in striving for academic excellence. I look forward to continued collaboration and success with each of you, individually and collectively, to provide the best possible educational program for our scholars. We are still "B"elieving!!!

A St. Petersburg native, I am a product of Pinellas County Schools. I possess over twenty years of educational experience in the elementary grades. I am a proud graduate of the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg Campus. I hold two Master’s degrees: one in Elementary Math and Science Education and one in Educational Leadership. I have proudly taught courses at USFSP as well as sat on the College of Education Advisory Board there. I am also a Harvard Graduate School of Education Graduate X2. I have completed both the Turnaround Leaders and the Building Systems of Care Institutes. I am elated to bring my skills as a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Educational Leader to Mt. Vernon and to work with you as a partner in education to ensure success for all scholars!

My goal as your Principal is to ensure that our scholars receive a quality education, where they are engaged in standards-based instruction on a daily basis from a highly-qualified educator. I will monitor teaching and learning consistently and ensure that our scholars are on the path to success. You can also expect from me leadership that will facilitate a nurturing, safe school environment in which rigorous academic instruction is delivered to meet the needs of each individual learner. Along with academics, I think it is important to develop the “whole child” and teach our scholars to be productive citizens in society. Cultivating students that are academically sound with moral character will afford our students the opportunity to be successful in their future endeavors.

Through a close partnership with students, staff, and parents, I am confident that we can continue to make MAGIC happen! YOU are a vital piece to our puzzle of success. Together, we can ensure academic success and showcase the longstanding truth of Mt. Vernon being a MAGICAL place to learn and grow! 

Your partner in education,

Nikishia Dixon
Principal