Dr. Kim S. Benton assumed the role of Interim Deputy State Superintendent for Instructional Enhancement and Internal Operations at the Mississippi Department of Education on August 1, 2012.
Prior to assuming the Interim Deputy position, Dr. Benton was the Bureau Manager in the Office of School Recovery within the Office of School Improvement, Oversight and Recovery. In that role, she was responsible for overseeing Mississippi’s School Improvement Grants (SIG) program, specifically managing the fiscal and program development, technical support, and accountability for the program.
Prior to joining MDE, she was the executive director of federal programs and special populations for the Meridian Public Schools in Mississippi. In other education-related capacities, she has been an elementary school teacher, reading specialist, principal, central office administrator, and university adjunct instructor.
Dr. Benton received her doctorate degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in Education Leadership and Administration from Mississippi State University. She and her husband of 18 years, Gary, have two daughters and three sons and reside is Hickory, Mississippi.