Written by: Author Spotlight

Dr. Essie McKoy

Dr. Essie McKoy is an Amazon 4X’s bestselling author and has written four best-selling books. She has written extensively and continues to contribute to a variety of worldwide writing projects. She has written as an author, contributing author, and a foreword author. You can read her work in the following books: The  Heart of School Transformation; My Journey into Transforming Urban Schools, Coaching Champions- How to understand the players before giving the plays; A Guide to Improvement and Success, Women of Virtue: Walking in Excellence, Leadership Tidbits, The Gyrlfriend Code Sorority Edition, Vision and Purpose; Inspiring Our Community, and Women Who Lead; Extraordinary Women With Extraordinary Achievements – Featuring School Principals. Majority of her writings are about experiences in leadership whether she is transforming, leading, coaching, inspiring, or sharing best practices. You will be amazed at her level of expertise and knowledge on leadership matters. Also, she has one books about her journey into becoming an AKA!  In addition, she is a contributing author in the Vision and Purpose Lifestyle Magazine! Purchase her books on Amazon or at www.dressiespeaks.com!

Biography for Dr. Essie McKoy
Award-Winning Educator/Speaker/Amazon Best Selling Author/Coach/Entrepreneur!
Dr. McKoy received her Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) and an Educational Specialist Degree (Ed. S.) in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master’s Degree in Middle Grades Education from Appalachian State University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education with certification in Learning Disabilities from Winston-Salem State University. She has additional areas of certification in Public School Administration/Principalship, Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in English, and the Superintendency. Her dissertation topic, “A Study of Elementary Principals’ Perceptions of Accountability and Leadership in an Era of High Stakes Testing,” is a foundational part of her book, “The Heart of School Transformation: My Journey into Transforming Urban Schools.” She attended The Urban Superintendent’s Program at Howard University and The American Association of School Administrators and received the National Superintendent’s Certification. In addition, she attended Harvard University’s Public Education Leadership Project Program and many other leadership programs throughout the nation, including the Wake Forest University Leadership Program for Public Engagement, The Distinguished Leadership Program and the Distinguished Leadership Program Digital Learning at North Carolina State University, The Principals’ Executive Program – Leadership Program for Assistant Principals at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received the Program’s Outstanding Academic Achievement Award and she graduated from the Principals’ Executive Program – Leadership Program for New Principals at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received the prestigious Jack McCall Award. Dr. McKoy also attended the Mastering Leadership Dynamics Program with the BB&T Institute, as well as three other programs at BB&T. In addition, she was accepted into The National Scholars Honor Society.  A highlight of her career is that in 2017, she was selected by Winston Salem State University as the Education Alumni Achiever Recipient.

Dr. McKoy began her teaching career at an alternative middle school and later taught a “regular” middle school. She has served as assistant principal at the elementary level before becoming the principal of two elementary schools. She worked as an instructor at the Math and Science Academy of Excellence at Winston-Salem State University and worked as an Adjunct Professor at North Carolina A&T State University, ITT Technical Institute, and George Mason University. Furthermore, she served as an Executive Director/Principal at the middle school level and has experience at the high school level. Her experience spans from pre-K through college and she use her experience and knowledge to continue to make an impact in the field of education! Dr. McKoy was nominated for the AASA Women in School Leadership Award with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In addition, she received the Educator of the Year Award and The Executive Citation of Anne Arundel County Maryland Award.

Dr. McKoy has been featured in K.I.S.H., BSM, SwagHer, Power 20, Glambitious, and UP WORDS (Edutopia) magazines and appeared on many radio shows. She has received many accolades and recognitions for her accomplishments throughout the span of her career.

She is known as a transformational leader and has improved the academic performance and success indicators of all the schools she has led. She is most proud of the fact that both elementary schools became Piedmont Triad Signature Schools- highest growth schools! Her mission is to continue to ignite a passion in others and to make a profound impact in the field of education!

She is the President and CEO of her own Educational Consulting Business, Dr. Essie Speaks, travels the nation to do speaking engagements, and is an Amazon 4X’s bestselling author. She has written extensively and continues to contribute to a variety of worldwide writing projects. She has written as an author, contributing author, and a foreword author. You can read her work in the following books: The  Heart of School Transformation; My Journey into Transforming Urban Schools, Coaching Champions- How to understand the players before giving the plays; A Guide to Improvement and Success, Women of Virtue: Walking in Excellence, Leadership Tidbits, The Grylfriend Code Sorority Edition, Vision and Purpose; Inspiring Our Community, and Women Who Lead; Extraordinary Women With Extraordinary Achievements – Featuring School Principals.

In addition, she continues to work in her area of expertise-school transformation for a local school district in the DMV and writes for Vision and Purpose Lifestyle Magazine! Furthermore, you will see Dr. McKoy once a month hosting about educational topics on the, “I Am Dr. Sharon Show,” at Urban Style Media. The segment is entitled, “Education First.”

She invites you to visit her web site at www.dressiespeaks.com and keep abreast of updates on all social media outlets.

Last modified: May 7, 2020