Dr. Usry-Wilson’s leadership has helped me grow in ways i nver anticipated. Her vision, support, and confidence in her staff are what truly set her apart. I am grateful to work under someone who leads with both heart and strategy, and who continuously strives to uplift students and teachers alike.

~Mrs. A. C.

She is an amazing communicator, she is confident, she leads with integrity, and she also takes accountability. These are traits that a great leader exhibits!

~A. B.

Dr. Usry-Wilson saw something in me long before I saw it in myself. She pushed me to go after leadership opportunities, to step into rooms I didn’t feel ready for, and to use my voice. I had never been one to speak in front of people but she left me no choice. She put me in front of teams, lead me into coaching roles and gave me real responsibilities. That push, although scary was exactly what I needed. Because of her, I overcame that fear, found my voice and became a stronger, more confident leader.

~T. I.

I appreciate her drive and motivation for achieving greatness not only with our students but in and with the staff at this school. Dr. Usry-Wilson has always tried to be transparent with her staff and although decisions made or directives she may have given were not understood at a specific time by her staff, it ultimately served a purpose—to achieve growth in both our students and staff. Under her leadership, I have personally learned the importance of time management, classroom management, data analysis, progress monitoring, reports, and ensuring that our students see their own growth even if it’s just minimal. Any type of growth is significant, and she’s taught our students that.

~L. M.

Thank you so much for allowing me to visit "Thee Jenkins White Elementary" for my leadership observation. I truly appreciate your openness and the time you took to share insight into your work.

You are an exceptional leader, and your passion for both your staff and students was evident from the moment I walked into the building. Your leadership style is a powerful blend of data-driven decision-making, intentionality, and genuine compassion. The balance you strike between holding high expectations and providing real support is admirable. It is clear that you lead not just with skill, but with heart.

I was especially inspired by your unwavering dedication to the field—despite the ongoing challenges educators face. Your commitment to creating a positive culture, maintaining instructional excellence, and nurturing the whole child is reflected beautifully in the climate of your school. Your staff and students are truly blessed to have you at the helm.

As a leader who also values intentionality, transparency, and strong accountability, I left your school feeling both empowered and grateful. Thank you for modeling what impactful leadership looks like in practice. I look forward to visiting again in the future as I continue to grow in my own leadership journey.

With sincere appreciation,

~M. H.

During the session, I was able to view data through a refreshed and more strategic lens. It was evident that both you and your teachers are extremely intentional and laser‑focused when analyzing school data. The clarity with which your team understands student performance and instructional needs is commendable.

After attending, I immediately implemented the way your team grouped students by domain in i‑Ready. This structure ensures that when we begin teaching lessons connected to each domain, students are already grouped and ready for targeted instruction. It was also clear that your teachers—and you—are highly knowledgeable about their students and their data, and that level of ownership directly reflects the quality of the discussion and instructional planning.

Thank you again for allowing me to learn from your team. It was truly beneficial.

~T. M.

The session was both informative and impactful. It demonstrates a strong culture of data‑driven instruction and collaborative problem‑solving within your building. I would absolutely recommend that others observe a session like this, as it’s a great model for how principals can effectively lead and support instructional teams.

Thank you again for welcoming me into your building. I appreciate the leadership you provide and the intentional work occurring at your schools.

~S. S.

I truly appreciate the growth I experienced under your leadership and the ways that you helped to refine my practice. The encouragement, guidance, and trust you showed me meant so much, and I am thankful for the experiences I gained working with you and our students at THEE Jenkins White!

~A. S.

I am incredibly grateful for the leadership of Dr. Usry-Wilson and the profound impact she has had on my growth as an educator and leader. She has deepened my understanding of data-driven instruction in meaningful and practical ways, especially in analyzing i-Ready scores and DRC Beacon data to better support students with disabilities. Through her intentional and highly engaging professional learning sessions, particularly our Data Digs, she has shown me how to look beyond the numbers to truly understand student needs and respond with purpose. What sets her apart is not only her expertise, but her heart. She genuinely loves our students and is unwavering in her commitment to their success. She also prioritizes teacher growth, ensuring we feel supported, equipped, and empowered to excel in our classrooms. Under her leadership, I have grown more confident in using data to guide instruction and more intentional in developing my own leadership skills. She models integrity, compassion, and excellence daily, inspiring me to lead with both knowledge and heart.

~Dr. B. T.

Working under Dr. Nisharro Usry-Wilson has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional career. She leads with a standard of excellence that never wavers, holding high expectations for both students and teachers and refusing to compromise on what she knows her school community deserves. Yet what makes her leadership truly special, is the loving strength behind it. She holds staff accountable with compassion, communicates with openness, and creates an environment where growth feels both encouraged and deeply supported.

Even with my years of experience, Dr. Wilson has taught me so much. She saw potential in me long before I recognized it in myself, encouraging me to step into leadership roles that I once believed were beyond my reach. She doesn’t just manage a school; she grows leaders. She inspires teachers to stretch beyond their comfort zones, to pursue opportunities outside the classroom and to trust in their own abilities.

Her rapport with students and families is unmatched. She builds relationships rooted in respect and genuine care, making people feel seen, heard and valued. Her teachers always know she has their backs. She offers support through parent concerns, protects instructional time from distractions and ensures that her teachers have whatever is needed for them and their students to be successful.

What I admire most is her balance of firmness and joy. Dr. Wilson is consistent, structured, and focused. Yet, she is never afraid to laugh, have fun, and remind us that school should be an uplifting place. She is extremely knowledgeable, while remaining humble enough to learn new information as needed. Her dedication to the success of her school, students, and staff is evident in every decision she makes. Dr. Wilson’s leadership left a lasting impact on me, shaping both my professional growth and my confidence as an educator. Any teacher would be truly fortunate to work under her leadership.

~A. S.

When I first met Dr. Usry-Wilson, I did not realize I was stepping into a defining moment, not only in my professional journey, but in the transformation story of THEE Jenkins-White.

During my interview, she did not begin with programs, titles, or surface-level initiatives. Instead, she walked me directly to the data wall. She stood before the numbers, then looked at me and asked one question: “What do you see?”

In that moment, I saw more than percentages. I saw possibility. I saw urgency. I saw a leader who understood that those numbers represented children,  and that their trajectories were not fixed. I saw someone who did not accept outcomes… she changed them.

Long before I walked into THEE Jenkins-White in July 2025, Dr. Usry-Wilson had already begun the work. She was on a journey,  not just to improve scores, but to restore belief. She was determined to move the school from the bottom toward recognition, achievement, and excellence. She was not simply leading a building; she was rebuilding a culture.

I had the privilege of walking in during what she called “The Finisher” year,  the year momentum met mastery. The year strategy met results. The year her vision to move the school off the CSI list became reality. But that moment was not accidental. It was the result of years of intentional leadership, relentless focus, and an unwavering refusal to settle for average.

Reading data is a language, and Dr. Usry-Wilson speaks it fluently.

In her 3–5 data digs, she does not skim the surface. She dissects standards. She unpacks domain weightings. She identifies misconceptions with precision. She pushes us beyond comfort and into accountability. What could feel overwhelming becomes empowering under her leadership because she moves the conversation from “What happened?” to “What will we do about it?”

She does not allow data to sit in spreadsheets. She activates it.

What sets her apart is not just her brilliance,  it is her belief. She holds you to a standard that may feel just beyond reach, yet she sees your potential before you fully see it yourself. She stretches you. She sharpens you. She elevates you. Under her leadership, growth is not optional, it is expected.

In just one year working alongside her, I witnessed measurable student gains, rising teacher confidence, and a cultural shift toward ownership of outcomes. Recognition and accolades followed, not because they were chased, but because excellence was pursued daily.

Dr. Usry-Wilson did not simply improve THEE Jenkins-White.

She transformed it.

She did not simply respond to challenges.

She redefined them.

She did not simply lead through change.

She produced it.

To serve under her leadership during such a pivotal season has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Watching her move THEE Jenkins-White from label to legacy, from struggle to strength,  has been nothing short of inspiring.

And if I had to summarize her leadership in one sentence, it would be this:

She walked into challenge, carried the weight of expectation, refused to accept limitation, and left behind undeniable proof that when leadership is intentional, strategic, and relentless, transformation is inevitable.

Because of her, THEE Jenkins-White is not remembered for where it started…

It is remembered for how it rose.

And that rise has her fingerprints all over it.

~ Dr. A. L.

I am incredibly thankful for my principal’s leadership and vision. She has consistently pushed me in the right direction toward leadership opportunities, helping me grow professionally with confidence and purpose.

When I transitioned into teaching 3rd grade, she guided and encouraged me with positivity, ensuring I felt prepared and supported every step of the way. She also prioritizes professional learning by helping teachers fully understand and use their data effectively to drive instruction.

Her leadership is empowering, intentional, and truly centered on both teacher growth and student success.

~C. L.

Dr. Usry- Wilson is a deeply data-driven leader who consistently examines every detail to uncover trends, strengths, and areas of need, ensuring all decisions prioritize student achievement. She has an extraordinary ability to identify and develop talent among her staff, building leadership capacity across the school. Her clarion call of “my people, my people” reflects her unwavering pride, ownership, and commitment to both her staff and students. Through her drive, determination, and insistence on high standards, she has created a culture of accountability, growth, and excellence that truly inspires those around her.

Thank you for your inspiration and dedication.

~L. W.

Dr. Wilson's professional development session was both informative and highly beneficial to my professional growth. The insights and strategies shared during the session provided me with practical tools that I can apply in my daily work. I truly appreciate the opportunity to have attended, as it has increased my confidence and enhanced my ability to contribute more effectively to my role as a teacher.

~A. B.

“You could have stayed stuck. You could have said, you know what? I give up. I've had every obstacle thrown my way, so I just give up. But no, that's not. That shows that that's not your character. That's not the type of person that you are. You're not the kind of person who give up or who wants to stay stuck. You're the type of person who gets results. That's been proven.”

~GADOE Representative March 2026

“So you know I just, I look forward to you sharing your knowledge and your expertise just spreading.

Getting with others because it certainly is needed and just know I hit record because I plan on sharing this myself with some of my other team members because we need for this to be replicated not just throughout Richmond, but we need for things like this to be replicated throughout the state because we want all of our schools to continue to flourish and all of our districts to continue to flourish. So when we see best practices in place, we have to make sure that we are replicating those things. So just kudos again, you know, to everything that you're doing.”

~GADOE Representative March 2026

“But this is a perfect example of how leadership sets the tone in the building, and it didn't matter that this particular school had lots of new folks come in and changes at the beginning of the year.

They had expectations that were set. Administration held them to that standard. They can continue on the mission despite who was in the seat. And this is just a perfect example how leadership sets the tone and leadership drives the work. So kudos to everybody.”

~RCBOE Representative March 2026