By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Kelli Joseph, principal of Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School, has been named superintendent of the St. Helena Parish school district.

Joseph has spent 16 years as an educator in St. John the Baptist Parish and St. James Parish. She has served as principal of GMMS for the past six years.

Under her leadership GMMS has shown marked academic improvement.

“Our test scores have gone up every year,” she said. “This is a quality school. This is a great place to learn.”

Among the other accomplishments she has overseen has been the school gaining accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. GMMS is the only K-8 school in the district to have attained this status.

This year, Joseph further added to her accolades by being named the St. John elementary school principal of the year. She was also recently presented a banner from the state Department of Education recognizing GMMS as school of exemplary academic growth.