photo by: Contributed Photo

Carissa Miles

Carissa Miles, an AVID coordinator, teacher and strategies instructor at West Middle School, has been named Billy Mills Middle School’s new assistant principal, the Lawrence school district announced in a release.

AVID, or Advancement via Individual Determination, is a district program and global nonprofit that aims to close achievement gaps by helping to better prepare students for college readiness.

Miles also taught third grade at Hillcrest Elementary for two years and taught English for three years at the middle-school level in Emporia, according to the release.

“I believe in students, and I believe in the power of public education,” Miles said in the release. “When I visited Billy Mills Middle School, I was motivated by the enthusiasm for students, families, and learning.”

Miles fills the position that Anita Carlson is vacating. Carlson is retiring in June after 27 years with the district, the Journal-World has reported.