The morning Dorlissa Jones walked back into the halls of Meridian Elementary as its principal, it was more than a professional step forward—it was a homecoming. A 1995 graduate of Meridian, she has returned to her alma mater with decades of experience, a profound sense of purpose, and a vision for rebuilding connections within the school and community.

Jones’s professional journey began at Meridian itself. She worked in the district for 18 and a half years, first as a paraprofessional for 16 and a half years and then as a classroom teacher for nearly two years. Those early experiences gave her a foundation not only in instruction but also in collaboration with parents and staff across all grade levels. “I worked in every grade, from early childhood all the way to twelfth,” she recalled. “That gave me a perspective on what students and families need at each stage of their learning.”

Education was always central to her ambitions, though her path was not a straight one. After earning her associate’s degree at Shawnee Community College, Jones graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a degree in child and family services. At first, she imagined herself directing programs like Head Start or working with DCFS. But the encouragement of teachers she worked alongside as a paraprofessional nudged her toward teaching. Over time, and through persistent effort, she earned her teaching degree from Southeast Missouri State University and went on to obtain not one, but six degrees—an achievement that her family often marvels at. “They joke that I’m the one with the most degrees,” she said, “but to me it’s just about showing that obstacles don’t define you. They build you.”

Jones’s career took her across the river to Missouri, where she taught at Charleston Elementary and Charleston High School for six years. She then stepped into administration, first as a student academic specialist and then as a high school principal in the Carroll School District. That experience broadened her leadership skills, especially in navigating the complexities of high school academics, credits, and postsecondary planning. Yet when the opportunity arose to return to Meridian as an elementary principal, she knew it was the right season to come home.

Her return has been warmly embraced. “The community knows me,” Jones explained. “They’ve seen my struggles, they’ve seen my growth, and now they’re excited to see me come back and give back.” She has never really been disconnected from her hometown. Even while living in Charleston, Missouri, she remained active in her church in Cairo, attending services every Wednesday and Sunday. Family ties and community involvement have kept her grounded in Meridian’s fabric, preparing her to lead when the time was right.

Jones’s leadership is marked by empathy and resilience, qualities forged by her own life experiences. A young mother at 21, she balanced raising children with beginning her career as a paraprofessional. At 26, she was widowed, navigating the challenges of single parenthood while continuing to pursue her education and career. “I know what it’s like,” she said. “I can relate to kids who’ve lost a parent, or to families dealing with trauma. That helps me understand their needs in ways others might not.”

This capacity for empathy has become one of her greatest strengths as a principal. Students are naturally drawn to her, often without knowing why. Parents, too, find themselves confiding in her. She sees these moments as opportunities to share her story carefully and purposefully, offering encouragement when it is most needed. “Sometimes you don’t share everything,” she explained. “But when the right time comes, you use your testimony to help others move forward.”

Her focus at Meridian is clear: to provide structure, support, and purpose for both students and staff. She describes her leadership philosophy as encouraging everyone to “live their why.” For Jones, that means creating an environment where students feel safe, where their emotional needs are addressed alongside academics, and where staff are unified in their mission.

Jones acknowledges that this is a time of transition for the district, with a new superintendent and new administrators learning to collaborate. But she sees this as an opportunity to strengthen bonds. “That’s why building stronger connections is so important,” she said. “We’re getting to know one another, learning what works, and making sure our students get what they need.”

Outside of her role as principal, Jones is a wife, mother of four, and grandmother of two. Her family’s own story has been interwoven with Meridian’s for generations. Her two oldest children attended Meridian until their high school years, and her youngest now attends school in the district. For Jones, leading Meridian Elementary is not just a job—it is a continuation of a lifelong relationship with the place that shaped her.