Ypsilanti International Elementary School Principal Dr. Cassandra Sheriff was born and raised in the Detroit area. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, her master’s degree in family and community services and her doctorate degree in educational leadership, all from Michigan State University. She additionally is a certified K-12 administrator which she earned from Eastern Michigan University.
Dr. Sheriff began her career as a Preschool teacher and eventually became a director of early childhood programs.
After doing this work Dr. Sheriff went back to school to earn her Master’s Degree in Family and Community Services and worked as a supervisor and director of mental health facilities. During this time she fell in love with the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) and enjoyed the ways she could provide intergenerational support to families. Dr. Sheriff served in many roles with GSRP including classroom teacher, site director and county administrator.
When the county relinquished the program Dr. Sheriff transitioned into being a YCS employee. At the time Dr. Benjamin Edmonson was the superintendent and encouraged her to pursue becoming Principal of the new International Baccalaureate primary years program (PYP) they were opening.
Ypsilanti International Elementary School
The Ypsilanti International Elementary School (YIES) functions as an International Baccalaureate PYP. This means that they follow the curriculum framework of an International Baccalaureate PYP. Sheriff describes it as an inquiry based program that speaks to the needs of the whole student.
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She said, “…at the elementary level, students focus on critical thinking, action-based, so project-based learning. They take that learning from their classroom and then they’re expected to go out into the communities or their homes to take action on what they’re learning.”
In 2016 YIES opened their doors and the community selected the name of the school. Dr. Sheriff said that her building does partner with the IB middle school and the local IB diploma high school. Dr. Sheriff discussed that although YIES is not a magnet school they function similar to one in that they are an application based school.
Joys of principal life
Sheriff said that one of the most enjoyable parts of being in her role at YIES is that the vast majority of the staff that the school started with are still currently teaching there. She said that this makes the staff at YIES feel like a family.
Sheriff stated, “We are a family and I always describe our school and our community as like a beautifully woven cloth that represents mankind, like the community is rich and vibrant. The students are very diverse. The projects that they put together you’ll be blown away every year.”
Sheriff also discussed some of her current goals for YIES. One of her biggest desires is to help to be inclusive to all parents to provide opportunities for all parents to be involved in the schools, despite diverse and busy work schedules. Her staff is continually working on communicating even more effectively and discovering new ways to provide parents with the ability to have their voice heard in the school community.
Personal life
Sheriff is happily married to Attorney Omar Sheriff. They have 3 children, DJ, Jacob and Kennedy. Sheriff enjoys spending time with her family, especially during a family game night. She also enjoys biking, community outreach, and listening to music.
Ideas for summer learning
Sheriff says the most important thing she recommends for families this summer is to spend quality time together and enjoy each other’s company. She also recommends finding fun educational activities for kids and families, such as festivals, camps and reading.
Sheriff said that learning should be enjoyable and recommends summer learning activities that are fun and engaging.
