Dr. Tamala Boyd Shaw is an education leader and advocate committed to expanding access to high-quality public education. She believes that teacher effectiveness is one of the most powerful drivers of educational equity and has dedicated her career to strengthening schools, educators, and opportunities for students in underserved communities.

Tamala is the Founder/ED of MS Delta Academies, a nonprofit organization focused on reimagining learning in rural communities. Through this work, she led the launch of Leflore Legacy Academy, a public charter school in Greenwood, Mississippi that opened in 2020. Born and reared in Greenwood, she considers this work both a professional calling and a personal commitment to investing in the community that shaped her.

Over nearly three decades in education, Tamala has served as a teacher, school leader, nonprofit executive, and policy advocate. Her experience spans work with national education nonprofits, school development initiatives, and she is part of the Charter School Growth Fund portfolio of leaders working to expand high-quality charter schools nationwide. She has also engaged with members of Congress to advocate for charter schools and expanded afterschool opportunities for students.

Tamala began her career teaching in Jackson, MS. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Tougaloo College, a Master of Teaching from Jackson State University, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Memphis, where her doctoral research focused on teacher retention and educator sustainability in underserved schools. Tamala’s leadership experience has been grounded in her time as a cohort member in several leadership programs.

A committed civic leader, Tamala actively contributes to community organizations and boards. She has been recognized with several community leadership awards honoring her commitment to educational equity and rural community development.

Tamala and her husband, Eric J. Shaw, are the proud parents of Eric “EJay” Shaw, II and bonus daughter, Emyah.