Kimberly Ricks
Principal
kricks@leakesd.org
Kimberly Ricks serves as Principal of Leake County High School. A proud graduate of South Leake High School, she continued her education at Belhaven University and Nova Southeastern University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a Specialist in Mathematics.
With 21 years of experience in education, Ms. Ricks is dedicated to fostering equity and excellence for all students. As a trained member of the National Institute of School Leaders (NISL), she embraces research-based leadership practices while holding firm to the belief that schools thrive when teachers, students, families, and the community work in partnership. Her vision is to ensure that every student is equipped not only for academic success, but also to make a positive and lasting impact in their community and in the world.
Kris Upchurch
Assistant Principal
kupchurch@leakesd.org
As a 19 year veteran teacher, Mr. “Coach” Upchurch joins the Leake County High School staff full of joy and excitement. Mr. Upchurch is married to his beautiful wife, Kristen, of 14 years; and currently resides in Kosciusko. Mr. and Mrs. Upchurch have 4 amazing children: Kade (19), Kipp (12), Kari (10), and Kamp (6). When he is not serving Leake County High School, Mr. Upchurch enjoys hunting and fishing with his family and spending as much time as possible at home in the Carroll County community of Teoc. As of late, Mr. Upchurch has surrendered into the ministry and enjoys filling the pulpit for small, rural churches that are without a pastor.
Mr. Upchurch has taught Kindergarten - 12th grade, General Education & Special Education, served as a District Level Special Education Transition Coordinator, coached football, baseball, and most notably softball. 11 of his 19 years have been directly tied to Special Education. For the past year and “a piece,” Mr. Upchurch has been serving as an Assistant Principal at Leake Central High School.
From Mr. Upchurch
As a parent first, I firmly believe that it is my ultimate responsibility to have my children and students prepared to become both productive members of society and good people. I do not believe that this can be accomplished unless I am first honest with them and allow them to see me for who I truly am. I am a Christian, husband, father, teacher, coach, friend, and supporter. Above all these things I am Real. I do believe that children can tell when teachers and administrators are real and when they are not. I do not believe in putting on a “dog and pony show” when it comes to education. The proof is in the results. If you can consistently produce good students that can perform both in the classroom and in the workforce, then you can consider yourself a successful teacher. As a coach, my teams all had one motto in common:
Define It.
How bad do you want It?
What are you willing to give up to get It?
This is my ultimate philosophy in life and education. Everything that you want to be, can be yours, if you are willing to work for it. I am, and will always be, 100% committed to the betterment of children. I firmly believe that that is my purpose here on earth, given to me by God himself.
I am 100% convinced that God led me to Leake County High School “for just a time as this.” In my career, I have come to understand that my mission has not changed, only my mission field.
