Dr. Polkinghorne is a veteran educator, with more than 20 years experience in middle, secondary, and post-secondary education programs.  His experience includes serving as teacher, professor, and school leader.  He joins Compton-Drew ILC as Principal, having served as Assistant Principal at McKinley Classic Leadership Academy and Gateway STEM High School (St. Louis Public Schools) since 2018.  At Gateway STEM he served as teacher and department chair of business, marketing, and technology education and Assistant Principal of Academics.  His leadership is grounded in collaboration, innovation, and transparency.

Through collaboration, Dr. Polkinghorne, believes in strong relationships with community members, faculty, staff, and scholars to develop rapport and mutual respect.  Through these relationships, he believes that all students can be successful by capitalizing on their innate desire to be successful in the classroom and beyond.

Innovation is a keystone of Dr. Polkinghorne's professional practice, where he believes technology allows for the reduction of barriers to academic and social success.  He leverages technology to provide scholars with interactive experiences to improve their academic and social success and as a tool to pursue academic enrichment that aligns with his scholars' goals.  In addition, technology allows for building relationships with families and community, reducing time- and place- barriers to enhanced parental involvement in the education of children.

Transparency builds respect and allows for the development of mutual understandings of the role and purpose of a Compton-Drew education.  Dr. Polkinghorne believes that when everyone can gather around the in-person and/or virtual table and share perceptions, beliefs, and data, stakeholders develop a better understanding of the needs of children and how they can collaboratively support academic and social needs.

His hope for the school year is to "(1) build rapport and mutual respect with the Compton-Drew community, (2) energize innovative practices for teaching and learning and (3) support the social and emotional needs of our shared scholars." He looks forward to meeting and working with you to invigorate the love and joy of learning for the "Compton-Drew Blue Dolphins."

Ms. Ashanti Moorehead proudly serves as the Assistant Principal at Compton-Drew ILC Middle School. She brings more than a decade of experience in education, with a strong focus on student achievement, positive school culture, and equity-driven leadership.

Before joining the Compton-Drew team, Ms. Moorehead served as the 8th Grade Assistant Principal at Ferguson Middle School. She also held leadership roles as Dean of Students at both the AESM @ L'Ouverture Middle School and LaSalle Middle School. Prior to becoming an administrator, she spent over 10 years teaching middle and high school Language Arts in the Saint Louis Public Schools District and Confluence Academy School District.

Ms. Moorehead holds an Educational Specialist degree from Webster University, a Master of Education degree with English Language Arts certification from Fontbonne University, and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with her two wonderfuldaughters.