Administration Bios

Principal: Rachel Poppell

TCES Principal Poppell

Principal, Rachel Poppell, was born and raised in Taylor County and graduated from Taylor County High School in 2002. After graduating from high school, Poppell accepted a softball and academic scholarship to Judson College in Marion, Alabama. After graduating with a Bachelor of Art degree in History, with a minor in Criminal Justice in 2005, Poppell taught Special Education in Madison County for one year.  Although Poppell was no longer teaching in a K-12 environment she stayed in the education field and began working as a corporate trainer for The Home Depot, Inc. After working for this organization for several years, she realized her true calling was in K-12 public education. Poppell then obtained a Master of Education from the University of Montevallo in 2012, moved back to her hometown of Perry, and began teaching at Taylor County Middle School. Poppell taught multiple subject areas at Taylor County Middle School, however, her primary position was as a Physical Education Teacher. Poppell also served as a coach for volleyball, softball, and soccer at Taylor County Middle School and as a softball coach at Taylor County High School during her teaching tenure. In 2018 Poppell transferred to Taylor County Elementary School and taught Special Education for one year before becoming the Dean of Students in 2019. From 2020-2024 Poppell was the Assistant Principal of Taylor County Elementary School. In 2020, Poppell completed another Master's Program, this time earning a Master of Education, in Educational Leadership. Poppell is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Reading, Physical Education, Social Science, and Educational Leadership. Poppell also completed the Principal Leadership Academy through the Panhandle Area Education Consortium, which qualified her to add School Principal to her Florida Educator Certification as well. 

Assistant Principal: Jennifer Amman

Assistant Principal Amman
Jennifer Amman is a Taylor County Native and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Taylor County High School in 1998. She earned her degree in Economics from Florida State University in 2003. In 2005, she married her husband Justin, and together they have three children: Briana, Nolan, and Jacob. Jennifer began her teaching career in Taylor County in 2006 with the Even Start Family Literacy Program. In 2008, she accepted a position at Perry Primary, where she taught Kindergarten and First Grade until 2020, when she transitioned to Taylor County Middle School. At the middle school, Mrs. Amman taught 6th grade math and science, and she led a STEM team that achieved consecutive medals in the National Student Astronaut Challenge Competition for four years. She excelled in instructional leadership as an Instructional Coach and contributed her expertise in Exceptional Student Education as a staffing specialist and MTSS Support. In 2013, Mrs. Amman earned her Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She was named Teacher of the Year at Perry Primary in 2014 and was selected as Taylor County District Teacher of the Year. In 2022, she was honored to be recognized as Taylor County Middle School Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Amman believes that strong partnerships between families and schools have the greatest influence on a child's educational success.

Dean of Students: Jerry Webb

Dean of Students Jerry Webb

ESE Staffing Specialist/504's: Kamryn Sands

ESE Staffing Specialist: Kamryn Sands
Kamryn Sands is the ESE Staffing Specialist for TCES. She is originally from Canton, GA and graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Special Education and Early Childhood. She has been a teacher in Taylor County for 14 years. Kamryn is married to Josh Sands and they have three sons named Tuf (14), Tate (13), and Tifton (11). In her spare time, Kamryn enjoys watching her boys play sports and melting into the couch to watch TV with her dog, Sammi. 

Instructional Coach: Justin Eli Walker

Instuctional Coach: Justin Ely Walker

Mr. Walker is a Taylor County native who appreciates the opportunity to give back to his community through public service in education. Mr. Walker’s career in education began in 2017 when he began teaching first grade ELA at Perry Primary School, the same school he attended as a kindergartener, first grader, and second grader. After two years at Perry Primary School, Mr. Walker transferred to Taylor County Elementary School, where he has been ever since. 

 

In his time at TCES, Mr. Walker taught fourth grade ELA for four years and fifth grade ELA for one year before becoming an instructional coach in the 2024-2025 school year. Mr. Walker has made an impact beyond his own classroom by serving on the Positive Behavior Supports team, developing a program to support new teachers, and hosting professional development sessions, including a regional literacy training with the Panhandle Area Education Consortium (PAEC).

 

In 2023, Mr. Walker expanded his career opportunities when he graduated with his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Florida State University. Mr. Walker hopes that regardless of the path his career takes, he will continue to positively impact students in his hometown.