Hynes Names New Leader for Mary D. Coghill Elementary

Hynes Names New Leader for the Transformation of 

Mary D. Coghill Elementary 

Hynes Charter Schools Chief Executive Officer Michelle Douglas named Tarynesa “Terri” Williams as the new Principal of Mary D. Coghill K-8 Elementary School for the 2021-2022 school year. Coghill is located in the Gentilly Woods Parkview Building, 4617 Mirabeau Ave. 

“We are so thankful to have Ms. Williams as the new leader of Hynes at Coghill Elementary,” said Hynes CEO, Dr. Michelle Douglas.  “She is an amazing educator, with proven experience and innovative and creative ideas. We are confident she can provide an exemplary model for a Hynes education to the Coghill families.  Hynes has a growth plan in place that has been intentionally cultivated through our expansion and replication efforts to model the success of our other two programs. Ms. Williams is the right leader to implement this plan and make Hynes Coghill a successful school.”

Last month, NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) notified Mary D. Coghill Charter School faculty, staff and families, of the siting of the school to Hynes Charter School Corporation. Hynes will be responsible for the school’s operation and management beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. Currently, the school is being directly operated by NOLA-PS. 

CEO Douglas said Principal Williams will be working closely with NOLA-PS over the next year to collaborate during the transition year. “It is an honor and privilege to serve as principal in such a successful school network as Hynes,” said Ms. Williams.  “As a native New Orleanian, lifelong educator, and most importantly a former Hynes parent, I know first hand how hard this organization strives to ensure that all children work to their fullest potential. I’m excited to begin my work with the Coghill community and am dedicated to building a Hynes culture focused on student learning.”

Ms. Williams recently served as Principal of Robert Russa Moton Charter School, where in 2019 she led the school in having the 2nd highest increase in reading and math in the city and Moton’s school performance score grew by 7.8 points in one school year. 

Ms. Williams also served as Chief Academic Officer of Fannie C. Williams School. Early in her career, she was a reading teacher and language teacher and served in many leadership roles both in New Orleans and Houston. She holds a Masters of Education in Educational Administration from Lamar University, and she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Xavier University. 

Ms. Williams and CEO Douglas said the new school will replicate the Hynes curriculum, core values, and framework, as well as be focused on a well-rounded education for students.

Hynes Charter Schools are some of the highest demand, non-selective admissions elementary schools in Orleans Parish.  The original Hynes-Lakeview campus is an “A” rated school, “Top Gains Honoree” and received “Equity Honors” for student progress and has a SACS/CASI accreditation.  Hynes -UNO was replicated  after its flagship school, Hynes-Lakeview.  Hynes-UNO students in their first year exceeded their math and reading targets from the 3rd quarter prior to school being disrupted by COVID-19.

Hynes Charter School-Lakeview serves children in Gifted Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten- 8^th grade and Hynes Charter School-UNO which opened last year, currently serves children in Kindergarten -1st, eventually growing into a full Kindergarten-8th grade campus.

For more information, please call 504-324-7160, or visit the school website at www.hynesschool.com

Hynes offers a challenging academic curriculum that includes a progressive literacy program; gifted and talented courses, classes in art, instrumental music, vocal music, library, theater and physical education. Art and social-emotional learning are integrated throughout the curriculum.  In addition, Hynes offers a French Immersion program. Hynes is proud of the collaborative culture that it fosters with distributed leadership and shared decision-making. Hynes has identified five core elements that drive its success: 1.) student centered instruction, 2.) an inclusive and positive school culture, 3.) tailored enrichment opportunities for students, 4.) an invested and committed community and 5.) having a sustainable organization.