John Starr

John Starr serves as the principal of Tom Benson Elementary School in Jefferson Parish. Benson is a PreK-8th grade Title 1 school with approximately 30% English Language Learners. John has led Benson since its transition from Roosevelt Middle in 2019. Prior to his current principalship, John Starr served as principal of another elementary school with a large ELL population, Marie Riviere School. During his four years at Riviere, English learners performed in the 85th percentile of all Louisiana ELL students on the annual LEAP assessment.

John earned his Bachelor's degree in English/Secondary Education from Louisiana State University. He taught middle school English in New Orleans while pursuing his Master's degree. After receiving his Master's in Educational Administration from the University of New Orleans, John served as the Assistant Principal at Marrero Middle. John has served on the JPSchools Superintendent's Principal Council and the LDOE English Language Learners Accountability Commission. He is currently working toward his PhD from the University of New Orleans focusing on the impact of school culture on the performance of ELLs.