I am beginning my 8th year as the principal of Lake Cormorant Middle School. I have been an employee of DeSoto County Schools for 26 years. I spent 5 years as an ELA teacher at Horn Lake Middle School, 1 year as an administrative intern at OBHS, GBES, and DCM, 7 years at Hernando High School as an assistant principal, and 5 years at Oak Grove Elementary School as the principal before coming home to Lake Cormorant Middle School. I am a graduate of Horn Lake High School and spent all 12 years in the Horn Lake Schools. I graduated from the University of Mississippi (Hotty Toddy) with a Bachelor of Art in Education and then earned my Master of Education and Educational Specialist degrees from Delta State University. 

I am married to John Steiner, and we have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. My children are all products of Desoto County Schools, and all have college degrees and excellent jobs. Four of my grandchildren attend DCS with the other 2 to follow in a few years. DeSoto County Schools has always been great to my family and me. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. 

My favorite things about being in education are meeting new challenges and watching my school children grow into successful adults (I know this happens because many of them now work for me). Every day brings something different and exciting. Thank you to all of my former teachers for helping me obtain such a rewarding career. 

Dr. Ashley Rhodes is a proud graduate of Horn Lake High School. After she completed her bachelor's degree in English at Tulane University in New Orleans, she spent five years teaching 11th and 12th grade English at Hernando High School. She then moved to Lake Cormorant Middle to serve as a literacy coach during which time she earned her National Board Certification and completed her master's degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University. She completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2023 and is looking forward to her fifth year as an assistant principal at LCMS. 

 Dr. Rhodes lives in Hernando with her husband, Brian. Together, they enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors. She also enjoys reading and spending time with her friends and family. 

Dr. Ashley Rhodes, M.S.E., NBCT

Dr. Hale is a graduate of Ocean Springs High School in Ocean Springs, MS. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Mississippi State University (1999) and his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University (2012), and his Doctorate Degree from CUC (2018). He has taught at Myrtle Attendance Center, Tupelo Public Schools, and Horn Lake High School. His wife, Kristy, is also an administrator in the district. They have two wonderful boys, Kasdin and Trapper. Dr. Hale is proud to be a Gator! 

“Not all those who wander are lost”      

        -J.R.R. Tolkien 

Keir L. Brown is an educator committed to educating students, colleagues, families, and the community through establishing strong connections. She has an Associate’s Degree in Education from Northwest Mississippi Community College (2009), Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix (2011), and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University (2021). 

Before becoming an assistant principal, Mrs. Brown’s teaching career included being a teacher’s assistant, a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher at Robinsonville Elementary (Robinsonville, MS), and a 6th grade math teacher as well as a student/teacher success coach at Lake Cormorant Middle School. 

Mrs. Brown lives in Horn Lake with her husband, Eric. They are blessed parents of two young men, Khari and Ean. Outside of teaching, she is an active member of Brown Missionary Baptist Church and an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (Psi Beta Zeta-Desoto County). 

  Mrs. Brown’s teaching philosophy is very simple: “Students do not care how much you know until they know how much you care."