My name is Gwenda Purnell. I was born in Monroe, Louisiana, and lived in Pascagoula, Mississippi, for about 25 years. After Hurricane Katrina, I moved to Jackson-Metro area. I obtained my master’s degree from William Carey College in Secondary Math, grades 7-12 and a specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Mississippi. I have taught math to students in grades 7-college for the past 30 years in both face-to-face and online environments. I teach online courses for DeVry University, PBS TeacherLine, and MPB. My husband, James and I are co-owners of J and G Educational Services, LLC.
I served as the District Math Curriculum and Instruction Specialist for five years. One of my greatest accomplishments during this time was to attain National Board Certification in Mathematics. I also worked as a Special Assistant for the State Superintendent of Education before my retirement from public education in 2007. I managed several bureaus at the Mississippi State Department of Education which included the Mississippi Virtual Public School, E-Learning for Educators, Professional Development, and Educational Technology.
James, Chris and I reside in Madison. We have 6 children (1 in heaven) and 10 grandchildren.