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My name is Dr. Sheila J. Gilmore, and I am a part of the administrative team at Blackburn Middle School.  I have 28 years of experience in education that includes: Teacher, Team Leader, Librarian, Interventionist, Literacy Coach, Parent Coordinator, Asst. Principal and Summer School Principal. My tertiary education includes Mississippi State University, where I received a bachelor's degree and Mississippi College, where I received my Master's, Specialist and Doctoral degrees respectively.  At Blackburn Middle, we strive to develop scholars who are prepared to succeed in the workforce, college and beyond through the attainment of skills in critical reading, writing and thinking. We are very proud of our students, their accomplishments, and the school environment that we strive to create each and every day. 

It is our desire that every student has an exciting, positive, and rewarding experience at Blackburn Middle School. We invite you to become an active member of our school community through volunteering and attending and supporting our school activities. Together, we will continue to improve the quality of our school community and provide the very best for the children of Blackburn Middle School. 

Joneaset Mitchell has been appointed as assistant principal for Blackburn Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year. With over two decades of experience in education, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to ensure the success of our scholars and teachers. My extensive background includes roles such as inclusion teacher, lead teacher for exceptional education, instructional coach, dean of students, and assistant principal, making me well-equipped to contribute to the growth and development of our scholars. I received my undergraduate degree from Mississippi University for Women, a master's degree from the University of West Alabama, and I am currently pursuing my doctorate.

A guiding principle in my profession is that those who genuinely desire success will find a means to achieve it without finding reasons to justify failure!

Combine determination, resilience, and compassion and you have Dr. Maryum Bilal. She will be serving as one of the Dean of Students at Blackburn Laboratory for the 2024-2025 school year.  Dr. Bilal takes on challenging responsibilities, such as ensuring that every student receives equity, has the best instruction for their learning style, understands the importance of communication, and works daily to close the achievement gap among a diverse set of students. She is a master listener, analytical, and a skillful writer. Her impressive educational background allows her to be diligent and empathic, while completing a variety of tasks for the betterment and development of the next generation. She is a proud alumnus of “THEE" Jackson State University, Mississippi College, and The University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Maryum Bilal believes in education and takes pride in the development of scholars.

Daryn E. White will serve as the newly appointed Dean Of Students at Blackburn Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year. He brings 19 years of experience to his new role, 14 served with ÃÙȦ×ÊÔ´Õ¾. His previous tenure in the District includes serving in the Middle School Division as an Assistant Principal and in the Department of Special Education as a Behavioral Specialist, Program Specialist, Behavioral Support Instructor, and Inclusion instructor at various elementary, middle, & high schools around the district. He has also served in the Vicksburg-Warren District as an Instructional Specialist & the Rankin County School District as a Special Education Instructor in the settings of Inclusion and self-contained.

Mr. White is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a bachelor’s Degree in sociology with a minor in psychology. Mr. White holds two Master’s Degrees in Educational Administration and Supervision from Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Southern University in New Orleans.

Mr. White’s daily passion includes serving and being transformational. With that said, his focus is motivated through the words: “Children learn more from what you are than what you teach.” ~W.E.B. DuBois; “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.” ~Harold S. Geneen; and "I never lose. I either win, or I learn” ~Nelson Mandela.