Cassandra Turner

Born in Kansas City Missouri to the late Eddie Jr. and Leontine Silvers, Cassandra (Sandy) is the fifth child out of twelve siblings. Widowed, Cassandra has two sons, Terrence and Carlos Turner, two grandsons, Terrick and Victor and one great grandson, Kingston Turner. A product of the Kansas City, Missouri Public Schools system, Cassandra graduated with honors from Lincoln University (Jefferson City, MO) BS. Education and, Trevecca University (Nashville, TN), M.A. K-12 Administration and Iowa State University (Ames, IA), PhD. Education, Leadership and Policy Studies.

With 41 years in education, Dr. Cassandra Turner has worked as a teacher, winning athletic coach, 7-12 assistant principal, K-12 principal, alternative education principal, assistant superintendent, curriculum director, State Education Monitor, assessment developer, researcher, grant reviewer and Curriculum & Instruction Advisor. Most importantly, Dr. Turner’s primary focus has been about the “Children, their parents and her teachers.”

Her firm but fair nurturing personality has allowed her to successfully open the doors for many inner-city youths to attend college or has assisted many high school and college students with meaningful job placement opportunities. She has truly impacted thousands of students, teachers, parents and community members throughout her career.

Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Turner opened the first joint high school between Memphis City Schools and Job Corps that implemented the district’s first “Blended Learning” process using Plato Software System and Direct Instruction.  She also pioneered and implemented Memphis City School ‘s first (3) three-times a year graduation ceremony (December, May and July).  Dr. Turner authored the concept and implemented Memphis City /Shelby County Schools first “Over-Age-For Grade” Prep School in Memphis, TN (Frayser Prep). This process was adopted and is still in use today.