CCSD names nationally recognized educational leader Dr. Timisha Barnes-Jones as Associate Superintendent of Organizational Development and Innovation
July 28, 2026
Charleston County School District (CCSD) has appointed Dr. Timisha “TBJ” Barnes-Jones as its new Associate Superintendent of Organizational Development and Innovation, adding one of the nation’s most accomplished educational leaders to its executive team.
A transformational leader with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Barnes-Jones is nationally recognized for developing leaders, improving schools, strengthening organizational culture, and raising student achievement. She joins CCSD from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, where she served as Chief of Schools, overseeing 80 schools, four area superintendents, 80 principals, leadership development, school improvement, and district strategic planning.
During the 2024-25 school year, 12 schools improved their accountability grades, seven schools were removed from the state’s low-performing list, and leadership development opportunities expanded significantly. She also implemented a comprehensive accountability system focused on coaching, observations, goal setting, and continuous feedback.
Throughout her career, Dr. Barnes-Jones has built a reputation for developing strong school leaders. She led a nationally recognized principal pipeline that filled 92% of leadership positions internally, expanded the Opportunity CultureⓇ initiative from 11 to more than 30 schools, benefiting more than 10,000 students and 442 teachers, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, oversaw an $8 million Wallace Foundation leadership grant, and redesigned district coaching and professional learning systems.
Before becoming Chief of Schools, she served as Assistant Superintendent of Talent Development and School Transformation, Area Superintendent, Director of School Improvement, and principal. At West Charlotte High School, she increased the four-year graduation rate by 34 percentage points, expanded Advanced Placement participation, launched career academies, and improved college and career readiness.
Beyond her district leadership, Dr. Barnes-Jones has coached principals nationwide as a National Principal Advisor for Relay Graduate School of Education. She has been recognized as North Carolina Wells Fargo Principal of the Year (Southwest Region) and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Principal of the Year.
A Davidson College graduate with a degree in music, Dr. Barnes-Jones first pursued a professional singing career, earning a scholarship to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, winning twice on Showtime at the Apollo, and appearing in The Color Purple before transitioning to education. Known as the “Singing Principal,” she believes joy, relationships, and culture are essential to learning and leadership.
In her new role, Dr. Barnes-Jones will lead CCSD’s efforts to strengthen organizational effectiveness, develop leadership at every level, advance innovation, and foster continuous improvement across the district.
