It is my pleasure and honor to be the principal of Hernando Middle School. We have a great school and a wonderful community in which we serve. My philosophy on education is that "Every Child Deserves to Grow Every Day." It is our goal to provide every child with the tools and skills they will need to be college and career ready upon graduating from high school. I look forward to the upcoming school year and encourage parents to email or call us if we can ever be of assistance.

Mr. Jeff Smallwood has over 20 years of experience in education in grades K-12 and has worked extensively with at-risk students. He hold degrees from The Evergreen State College and Delta State University.

He and his wife Rachel have two daughters. The family attends Trinity Church.

Mrs. Russell is beginning her eighth year as an assistant principal with DeSoto County Schools.  She began her educational career as a 5th grade teacher at Wayne Academy followed by ten years at DeSoto Central High School as a history teacher.  She has spent the last seven years as an assistant principal at Lake Cormorant High before coming to Hernando Middle School.  Mrs. Russell has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of Mississippi and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.  She also completed her Master Teacher of Economics through the MS Economic Council and Millsaps College.