Canton Public School District

                                                          

 

Dr. LaShandra Hodge-McClure is excited to join the Canton Public School District as the Director of Exceptional Services, bringing 19 years of experience and a deep commitment to supporting students with disabilities. Over the course of her career, Dr. Hodge-McClure has served as a Special Education teacher, Student Services Coordinator, Transition Coordinator, and Instructional Specialist. Her diverse background in education has prepared her to lead with compassion, insight, and a relentless focus on student achievement.

 

Dr. Hodge-McClure holds a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Tougaloo College, a Master’s in Education Leadership from Mississippi College, an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Administration from Arkansas State University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

 

With a personal belief that “Every student can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way” (George Evans), Dr. Hodge-McClure is passionate about meeting students where they are and helping them unlock their fullest potential. She is dedicated to ensuring that all students, regardless of ability, have access to high-quality education, meaningful services, and opportunities to thrive.

 

Aligned with the district’s mission of "Perseverance Conquers All," Dr. Hodge-McClure is committed to making the Exceptional Services Department the premier model of excellence. She strives to build strong relationships with the community, collaborate with families, and empower educators to achieve better outcomes for students with disabilities.

 

Dr. Hodge-McClure’s ultimate goal is to foster a culture of equity and inclusion, where every student is valued and supported on their educational journey. Through innovative practices, data-driven solutions, and compassionate leadership, she looks forward to making a lasting impact on the students, staff, and families of the Canton Public School District. 

The Office of Exceptional Services is dedicated to providing quality services to all students within our district who have been identified as having a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 and the intellectually gifted. We are staffed with 30 exceptional services teachers, 2 gifted teachers, a certified nurse assistant, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, and 9 paraprofessional aides. The administrative team consists of a director, an administrative assistant, a case manager, a psychometrist, and a functional behavioral specialist. With the changing population within our district, we must be aware of the various disabilities for which we provide services.

 

Our qualified staff serves students with the following disabilities: 

 

 Dr. Hodge-McClure is looking forward to working with her staff in the Exceptional Services Department and serving the students and families of the district.