Brady, Cox visit CCPS schools as Principal for a Day
- Shanda Crosby
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Our district’s “Principal for a Day” program continued this past week with City Commissioner Shannon Cox at GRC, and Property Valuation Administrator Jada Brady at Clark County Preschool.
When Shannon Cox walked through the doors of George Rogers Clark High School for the Principal for a Day program, it felt a bit like coming home.
The longtime Winchester resident, who spent 32-1/2 years in the school system before retiring in 2017, said the experience stirred up memories he hadn’t revisited in years.
“It was great and brought back a lot of good memories,” Cox said. “I got to speak to a class and to a PLC. It reminded me why this place has always meant so much to me.”
As he spoke with the PLC, Cox reflected on the early battles fought to secure what current students and staff now enjoy. He reminded them that the impressive facilities and opportunities available today were not guaranteed; they were won through persistence.
“The folks who are here now do not understand how hard we had to fight to get this building built and how hard we had to fight to get the ATC moved out here on the same campus,” he said. “They have it easy now—and that’s a good thing. But the opportunities they have came from battles that, at times, we thought we were going to lose. Still, we persisted and got it done.”
When asked why he believes it’s important for public officials to visit schools, Cox didn’t hesitate.
“I think it’s important that people elected to office and those serving the community in public roles go into the schools to meet the kids and see what’s happening,” he said. “Everyone needs to understand how our tax money is being spent. The biggest line on our taxes is for schools, and folks need to understand that these schools are the future of our community.”
Cox has served as a Winchester city commissioner for 28 years and holds the distinction of being the longest continuously serving elected official in the state of Kentucky.
As Principal for a Day, Mr. Cox didn’t just revisit his past. "The work done in our schools is so important," he said. "The entire community shares the responsibility to support the next generation."
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For Jada Brady, serving as Principal for a Day at the Clark County Preschool was more than a visit; it was a chance to better understand one of the community’s most foundational institutions.
Brady, who volunteers at various school functions across the district, said the day offered something she’d been eager to experience.“I wanted to get a broader scope of the entire school system,” she explained. “As a community, it’s important for us to understand what goes on in our schools.”
Although she regularly supports the district, this was Ms. Brady's first-ever visit to the preschool, and her first time participating in "Principal for A Day."
“It’s an interesting place,” she said. “These little ones are incredible to watch, and seeing their development up close is really special."
Among the day’s highlights, one moment that stood out to her was watching the careful way staff welcome children each morning. “I really love that they do a hand-holding routine from the car all the way into the building," she said. "Seeing how their safety is prioritized from the very first step out of the car or bus means a lot.”
Brady also took time to appreciate the design of the new preschool building. “It’s an interesting building, how it’s organized and arranged,” she said. “Coming from a floor-covering background, I admired how they cut the shapes out of the tile. I notice little things like that. The school is beautiful—nicely done. A bit overwhelming to grasp the full layout at first, but absolutely beautiful.”
As she wrapped up her day as principal, Brady carried away a deeper appreciation for early childhood education, and for the people who help shape students long before they reach elementary school.
"These children are special as are all of our children in the community," she said. "It's nice to be able to see how they're being interacted with, taught, nurtured, and taken care of in their early years."
Our Principal for a Day program has helped shine a spotlight on the incredible work happening throughout our district and continues to strengthen the bond between our schools and our great community.
