The Manchester Academy Board of Directors is proud to announce Jana Bardwell as the 2026–2027 Head of School. Her experience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to Manchester Academy make her exceptionally qualified to lead our school into its next chapter of excellence.
Jana Bardwell is an accomplished educational leader with 37 years of experience in education, including 27 years in administrative leadership roles. Her career reflects a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, student success, and school improvement across both public and independent school settings.
A 1986 graduate of Manchester Academy, where she attended kindergarten through twelfth grade, Bardwell has maintained a lifelong connection to education and her local community. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Delta State University and later completed a Master of Educational Leadership degree from the same institution in 1990.
Throughout her distinguished career, Bardwell has served in a variety of educational leadership positions. She dedicated many years to both Yazoo City Municipal School District and Yazoo County School District, including service as Principal of Yazoo County High School. Her leadership has been characterized by a focus on academic achievement, curriculum development, and fostering positive school cultures that support both students and educators.
Currently in her eighth year at Manchester Academy, Bardwell served as Principal and Curriculum Director. In these roles, she provided strategic leadership for the school's academic programs, faculty development, and student achievement initiatives while continuing to uphold the values and traditions of the institution that helped shape her own educational journey.
With nearly four decades of service in education, Jana Bardwell remains dedicated to preparing students for success and supporting educators in creating meaningful learning experiences that positively impact future generations.
jbardwell@manchesteracademy.org
DeWayne Cupples, Upper School Dean of Students
DeWayne Cupples is a seasoned educator and athletic administrator with over four decades of experience in physical education, coaching, and school leadership. A native of West Helena, Arkansas, he earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a minor in mathematics from Mississippi State University in 1983. He went on to receive a master’s degree in education administration from Mississippi College in 1988.
Mr. Cupples has dedicated the past 16 years to serving as the athletic director at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Madison, Mississippi. Under his leadership, the school’s athletic program was named MHSAA all-sports champion for 13 years and was recognized by MaxPreps as the top athletic program in Mississippi for the 2023–2024 academic year. He has also served on the MHSAA legislative council and was honored as the athletic director of the year in 2018.
Prior to his tenure at St. Andrew’s, Mr. Cupples also served at the Wesleyan School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he also taught middle school mathematics. During his time at Wesleyan, the school’s athletic program won the GHSA Directors Cup six times and was ranked by Sports Illustrated as the number one athletic program in the state of Georgia for the 2008–2009 school year. He also was at Jackson Preparatory School in Mississippi, teaching 8th and 9th grade mathematics and coaching several sports, including baseball, girls’ basketball, tennis, and varsity football. He was appointed athletic director at Jackson Prep in 1994.
Mr. Cupples has been married to his wife, Lisa Gray Cupples, for 40 years. They have two sons, Kyle, 32 and Sam, 25 and have made Madison, Mississippi, their home for the past 16 years.
dcupples@manchesteracademy.org
Christy Cader, Upper School Counselor
Christy is a native of Yazoo City and a 1984 graduate of Manchester Academy. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and graduate degree from Mississippi College. Mrs. Cader has 34.5 years of experience in education with most of this time spent as CTE/Athletic Counselor at Larry Summers Career and Technical Center at Yazoo City High School.
Mrs. Cader has two children who are both Manchester graduates, Dillon and Ann Stewart. They are members of First Methodist Church in Yazoo City. Mrs. Cader is also a life member of Junior Auxiliary of Yazoo.
ccader@manchesteracademy.org
Angie Black, Lower School Principal
ablack@manchesteracademy.org
Georgeanna Griffin, Preschool/Kindergarten Principal
Georgeanna holds a M.Ed. in Special Education from Delta State University. She has over 25 years of experience in education and a background in early childhood education. Georgeanna brings a passion and dedication to our younger students. Throughout her career, she has worked with children of various developmental stages. Georgeanna's commitment is for each child to receive the support and care needed to thrive.
