Madison Crossing principal retires after 29 years
Retiring Madison Crossing Principal Terri Thornton has been described as a wonderful and kind human being who would give you the shirt off of her back.
“She is one of a kind and it will be hard shoes for someone to fill,” said school secretary Renee Lewis who has worked for Mrs. Thornton for eight years.
“She supports the staff, children, and parents, and she’s a great leader who treats everyone with respect and the way she would want to be treated. I wish her the best in her endeavors and I will miss her.”
Thornton has been in education for 29 years and said it was her first grade teacher that had a large impact on her going into education and ultimately administration.
“She would always share stories with me about learning to read and what I could become, and I felt so inspired by her,” Thornton said. “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I think it was a calling, and it was God’s purpose. My purpose was to serve children and families.”
Thornton grew up in Bay Springs and graduated from Jackson State University. Her first job as a teacher was teaching fourth grade math at the Power APAC School in Jackson. She most recently came to Madison Crossing in 2013 as an assistant principal.
“The Power APAC principal at the time is who inspired me to become a principal,” Thornton said. “She genuinely cared and always had my best interests at heart, and her leadership style is what led to mine. Always make sure your people are taken care of.”
Before coming to Madison Crossing, Thornton worked for Luther Branson Elementary and Velma Jackson High School in northern Madison County.
She’s always felt being in education wasn’t something she had to do, but something she chose to do, and serving Madison Crossing is something for which she will forever be grateful.
“I’m transitioning to another phase of my career, and I hope these students understand that I am not just leaving them,” she said. “I don’t know what’s next, but I know it will be something different. God has a way of showing you things, and I feel it’s time for me to go.”
Thornton said her favorite part of serving Madison Crossing has been building lifelong relationships with students and their families, and said there isn’t a single person she can walk up to and greet without a smile.
“Building these relationships is what I enjoy most,” she said. “Every student matters and every moment counts. You are somebody. It doesn’t matter where you come from. Everyone deserves a great education, and I want to be remembered for my love of people and humanity, and how you should treat people. When people walk through that door at Madison Crossing, they need to feel welcome and feel the culture.”
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as Principal Thornton at Madison Crossing Elementary,” Thornton said. “This is your school, and thank you for allowing me to be a part of this amazing school community.”
Madison Crossing fifth grader Mason Baggett said he always enjoyed having Thornton as his principal and neighbor, and she has been a great leader for Madison Crossing.
“I won’t know how it’s going to be after Mrs. Thornton leaves since I’ll be going to a different school, but my brother will still be here and I heard it’ll be another great principal,” Baggett said. “Mrs. Thornton is really nice and I will miss her.”