Wanda Head was nominated by her colleague, Barbara Rodgers.
Mrs. Head received an undergraduate degree and a master's degree from Delta State University. In 2009, she returned to her alma mater, Leland High School, to serve as a counselor. She has a genuine love for the children in this Mississippi Delta community. She grew up in Leland and attended Leland High School when it was still known as "Little Harvard on Deer Creek." Mrs. Head knows the history of the area and has seen the economic changes as the population has shifted from this remote rural farming area.
Mrs. Head coordinates all Mississippi required state testing as well as ELL testing and ASVAB testing. She schedules all classes after career path counseling with each student. Mrs. Head has directly helped the graduation rate grow by 22% in the last three years. She directs the dual credit and Advanced Placement courses and has seen the enrollment grow from 16 students in 2009 to 65 during the 2018-19 school year.
Mrs. Head works diligently with local non-profits, businesses, and community organizations to find scholarships for graduating seniors. She worked to secure financial services and scholarships for Leland High School seniors in 2018. Her office shelves are filled with pictures of seniors who have successfully gone on to fulfill their college and career paths. Working with a commitment to excellence in Leland High School is no easy task. 100% of the students are economically disadvantaged, and 95% of the student population is a minority.
Mrs. Head has recently extended her compassion into the community, when a student's mother passed away. She comforts students and family members at the funeral services for their loved ones.
"Dedication, outstanding leadership, and high moral ethical standards are attributes that describe Mrs. Head," said Rodgers. "In a school where there are changes every year, Mrs. Head is the steady positive influence in the school's atmosphere."
I'm not sure if I remember this young lady, but knowing that she is from Leland is enough for me. Lelanders come from good stock! She has my support!
Wanda has always looked beyond our faults and saw our needs. She has inspired so many to be the best they can be by helping those that came close to committing suicide. Preaching, teaching and giving advice. Her motto is: You are already beautiful, and the power you possess will reveal itself over your lifetime. It’s enough to know that you have power, and that it will continue to grow and expand as you allow it. The good news is that realizing you’re beautiful just as you are right now is the first step to harnessing the power within you and accomplishing more in life.
I don't know any other word to use besides 'AMAZING" which best describes Wanda. Her passion, her drive, her dedication and her love to see students strive for a successful future is what makes her AMAZING. Her goal and passion is to ensure all students have a chance at a successful future. I have been fortunate enough to see her drive and determination to win at life and work. Her passion for her career allows others to see a path that is filled with promise and growth. This helps inspires her students to want to grow on that same path. I applaud what she has done over the many years in the education system and wish her more successful years.
Ms. Wanda R. Head is a school counselor who has genuine positive regard for all the students she serves. She graces the halls of Leland High School with confidence in her ability to provide high-quality services to faculty, staff, and students. She has shown her compassion and love for children throughout her many years of service. She is dedicated to her calling to serve others. Her service to children extends far beyond duties listed on her job description. One of her students called her "godmother" because of the unconditional concern she shows. She is an encourager who is energetic and enthusiastic about her role as a school counselor. She is courageous in her efforts to counsel "outside the box" by being innovative in service offerings to her school and community. Ms. Head is truly the epitome of a Life Changer. Her dedication to her career and community resonates in the hearts and minds of countless people who are blessed to know her.
Ms. Head is the counselor for the school at which I teach. She works tirelessly every day to support our children and to fill the many roles that are expected of school counselors these days. She contributes to administrative decisions, maintains a complexity of student records, counsels students needing emotional support, plans the multitude of events that the school puts on, organizes field trips, and provides students with countless scholarship and college application materials. Ms. Head deserves most of the credit for our high school's high rates of college attendance from senior classes. Working in a school where 100% of students are on free lunch, her work touches and legitimately changes the lives of hundreds of students every year; if she doesn't deserve this award and recognition, I don't know who does!
She is a very hard working lady. Congratulations!!
Leland High School And The People Of Leland Are So Blessed To Have An Intelligent Compassionate God Fearing Lady In Our School System. Her Love For The Students Shows In Her Interacting With Them. She Has Made A Big Impact In Our School System. Thank You Wanda For Being That Lifechanger At Leland High
Ms.Wanda Head is a child of God. She love helping people in a godly way. She's a counselor for kids and love to help, and love doing certain helping everyone involved .
I have been fortunate enough to have known Ms. Head for several years. She served as high school counselor back when I attended LHS in 2008-2010. Ms. Head was a "motherly" figure for me in high school. She always brought a spirit of comfort and positive energy; I remember always being able to go to her office to just sit or talk to her about anything. I also remember her making sure that I always had a ride home from afterschool band, choir or track practice. Ms. Head has always been an active participant in school events, the community, the church and in the lives of so many students. She has truly been an inspiration to me and has undoubtedly contributed to my growth and success as a student, adult, professional and person.
My experiences with Ms. Head has been uplifting she's kind hearted she motivates people to be better and do better and I recommend her because I know she will put her all into a positive and Healthy Future for our Young Generation.
Mrs. Head has been very important to the Leland School District since day one. Mrs. Head has been instrumental in the lives of so many students. It’s always a plus when you have someone that’s homegrown taking care of her community. Mrs. Head has prepared so many students for college and life after high school. Mrs. Head leadership and guidance has helped to produce doctors, attorneys, and community leaders just to name a few. Mrs. Head has been a great listener to her students and parents during her years as Counselor which has proven to be very pivotal. If anyone deserves Life Changer Of Year it would be Mrs. Head because of her commitment to every student since 2009. #LCOY
Ms. Head is a beatiful person inside and out. She is always willing to help anonther and most of the time you don’t even have to ask. She has always been supporting the kids at schools and her church. I have always been grateful to know her and to call my sister.
Wanda Thomas Head is a young woman who has dedicated her life to making a difference in her community and at her alumni. Wanda Thomas Head is the epitome of a true educator..She's dedicated to her students and her school....Wanda Thomas Head is truly a life changer.
Ms. Wanda Head is the perfect person for this award. She loves people, especially children. She’s a loving and caring professional who is the type of counselor every school needs. She’s not just doing a job, she’s a true advocate for these students. Every school and student would be blessed to have a counselor and student advocate like Ms. Head.
Ms. Head is a woman of character who loves the kids and will do whatever it takes within the rules to make sure every kid under the sound of her voice succeed. She is a counselor mother and a friend to all of the kids at Leland High and also to the kids at Leland elementary.
If anyone is a life changer it’s definitely Ms Head.I been knowing her all my life and she has never changed. She sacrifice so much so that these kids could be productive citizen. She teach young men and women how to be professional at all times .So many of Leland past graduates return back to Leland High just to thank Ms Head for all that she has done for them intheirliveswhile beinga student at Leland High
With that being said Ma Head has my vote.....
Motivational Mike
Congratulations Aunt Wanda!!
I have been fortunate enough to have known Ms. Head for several years. She served as high school counselor back when I attended LHS in 2008-2010. Ms. Head was a "motherly" figure for me in high school. She always brought a spirit of comfort and positive energy; I remember always being able to go to her office to just sit or talk to her about anything. I also remember her making sure that I always had a ride home from afterschool band, choir or track practice. Ms. Head has always been an active participant in school events, the community, the church and in the lives of so many students. She has truly been an inspiration to me and has undoubtedly contributed to my growth and success as a student, adult, professional and person.
I hard working woman who dedicates her time and effort to family and the children she guides on a day to day basis. The level of standards she exhibits for others to emulate is one of the highest I seen within her Community. I think it would be hard to find someone who is as trustworthy and reliable person as she is. Her leadership and management skills are well above reproach, they are fantastic. She is always willing and anxious to learn more. What she does and has sets her community up for success because she is eager to teach children what she knows so they can have more and better opportunities. What she does and knows allows the kids and families help learn and change their community. The atmosphere and wish she brings gives a lot young and older individuals since of pride, Pride of Belonging.
Mrs. Head is an awesome administrator. She puts others first. She always goes above and beyond to support her colleagues and community. She is always professional and knowledgeable in her field.
Congratulations I support you 150 + percent.
Wanda Thomas is a pillar of our community. After finishing her college education, she decided to come back to her home town and help the children of her alma mater. She has helped so many children reach their potential. She has compassion for others and she has a big heart.
Mrs. Head goes above and beyond for her students! She is also involved in the community as well! Mrs. Head, You Are Awesome!
Ms Head and I are classmates, she was an outgoing student while we was in school.She love helping students at Leland High, in anyway she can.Ms. Head love her job and supporting students in their careers and helping them to get in college.She is a very outgoing young lady for her community.
Wanda is an amazing advocate for education and opportunity. I have known her for almost 30 years and in that time I have witnessed her support of children’s spiritual, mental, physical, and educational needs. She is a true example of “walk softly carry a big stick” for her softly spoken words and advice carry such a heavy weight.
Ms. Head is a really good person and educater. When she work fir the Greenvills Public School District, she worked hard to help failing seniors make to graduation. From tutoring during her spare time to staying after school late to help with work. Greenville High took a big lost when she decided to work for leland High School. Just like at GPS, she continued to share for care, love, and time to the students of Leland High. She is a great supporter.
I have never met anyone who cares about Leland High and the students as much as Ms. Head. Not only did I grow up with this amazing person for a mom, but I also had the privilege of working with her at Leland High. During my time there as an English teacher, I got to witness all of the wonderful things she made happen including numerous trips for students, various award ceremonies, blood donor drives, and so much more. One thing she truly pushed, was graduation and scholarships. The moment a scholarship touched her hands, she was sure to push them to seniors. She is so much more than your average high school counselor. I can honestly say she’s a superhero at Leland High School and there is no one more deserving of this award than her.
Very deserving. Congratulation
To whom it may concern:
It gives me immense pleasure in recommending Ms Wanda Head for Lifechanger of the Year. I have known Ms Head for a year as a fellow educator at Leland High School.
Over the year she has shown the motivation, preserving nature, and analytical aptitude for educating our students here at Leland High. Her attitude and presence of mind has been a key part of the success and growth the we have achieved over the past year. Ms Head conceptual understanding of teamwork has been a positive contribute to the staff working towards one goal.
In my view Ms Head will make an outstanding Life Changer of the Year. I recommend her in the strongest term for Life Changer of the Year.
Your Sincerely
Please excuse my typos Ms. Wanda Lol
Ms. Wanda was a major key in my high school success back in 2008, always helpful and encouraging. She was always a above and beyond type individual and i credit her to this day for my high character and achievemts.
Ms. Head happily and willingly gives of her time, energy, money, and sleep to serve the Leland High School students and staff. As one of her kids, I can attest that she loves the students as if they're her own children. Supporting students in their high school careers and preparing them for beyond is a full-time job, and Ms. Head handles testing too. She's truly a gem to the LHS community.
