By Debbie Burt Myers

Neshoba Central High School has added a new faculty position to guide and support students as they prepare for life after graduation.

Longtime educator Cindy Byrd of Philadelphia has been named the school’s first career coach.

Byrd will support students one-on-one and in groups as they explore paths ranging from college and the military to technical training and direct entry into the workforce.

Byrd’s mission is to help them make confident, informed decisions about their future.

The position is funded through AccelerateMS, which has placed more than 100 career coaches in school districts statewide. The initiative has found success at Philadelphia High School, and Kemper, Lauderdale and Winston County schools, Byrd said.

Neshoba Central’s program is modeled after similar programs that have earned success in northeast Mississippi and on the Gulf Coast. The initiative began gaining momentum shortly after being funded by the state legislature during the 2022 session with $8 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Superintendent Josh Perkins cited Byrd’s expertise.

  “We are excited to introduce a career coach for the district, and having Mrs. Cindy Byrd in this role makes the opportunity even more meaningful,” he said.

“Her expertise directly supports our vision for every student to graduate college and career ready, equipped with courses, certifications, and real-world experiences beyond a high school diploma.”  

NCHS Principal Jason Gentry is excited to partner with AccelerateMS and to welcome Byrd back to the campus.

“We are extremely excited to have Mrs. Cindy Byrd back at Neshoba Central High School as the first ever career coach,” he said. “Mrs. Byrd brings a wealth of experience to NCHS students in regards to career pathway planning and opportunities available within our area and throughout the state.

 

“Through her years of experience at the high school level, Mrs. Byrd brings an understanding of both academic and career-ready opportunities that are available for all of our students at NCHS. We look forward to the positive effect she has in helping our students find the right fit for their future."

 

Career coaches fill a unique role, picking up where traditional guidance counselors’ responsibilities leave off. They help students define their goals for the future and create a plan to achieve them.

“We are helping seniors realize their dream of being first-generation college students, working with local employers to provide jobs in fields of interest and establishing paths to certification programs in coding, barbering, welding, truck driving and other skilled professions,” Byrd said.

The goal is “to help students figure out life after high school graduation,” she said.

She cited a number of job openings in trades with competitive salaries.

Neshoba County is in close proximity to East Mississippi Community College, East Central Community College and Meridian Community College where students can study for several positions in the healthcare field, such as nursing, dental hygiene and X-ray technician, among others.

“Some of those are just a one or two-year program,” she said. “Once completed, graduates can earn good salaries.”

Byrd is a 1986 graduate of Neshoba Central. She retired in 2021 after 20 years in education, working as an elementary teacher, middle school counselor and high school counselor at Neshoba.

She taught in the Tribal Schools for two years, followed by one year as a high school counselor at Newton County High School.

Returning to Neshoba Central was like coming home, Byrd said.

“I’m excited to be back working with students of Neshoba County to help them prepare for life after high school,” she said.

Byrd and her husband, Jerry, have three daughters. Olivia Adams is a nurse at Children’s of Mississippi. Anne Taylor Mayatt is a radiologic technician at Neshoba General Hospital and Mary Kathryn Thrash is an English language specialist with Lowndes County Schools. They have one son, Jeremy Byrd, vice president of operations with OBC Gym Floor Refinishing.

The Byrds have three grandchildren: Lofton, Wilson and Suzie.

AccelerateMS is an office aimed at enhancing workforce development and economic growth in Mississippi. Launched in 2021, it leads a collaborative effort involving state agencies, educational institutions, businesses and community organizations.

AccelerateMS develops and deploys strategies and initiatives to deliver a more coordinated and effective workforce system for the employers and people of Mississippi.