ESE/Student Services Staff

ESE/Student Services Staff

Tamika Hughes-Leeks

Director of Exceptional Education, Mental Health and Student Services
Phone: 850.973.1562

Melissa Cherry

ESE Staffing/Program Specialist
Phone: 850-973-1567

Melissa Cherry is a lifelong resident of Madison County. She graduated from Madison County High School in 1993 then attended Florida A&M University where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Cherry began her teaching career at Pinetta Elementary School then transferred to Madison County Central School as the MTSS/RTI Specialist. She loved school so much she went back and earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at Saint Leo University  She is currently working in the Exceptional Student Education Department as a Staffing/Program Specialist for Madison Creative Arts Academy and EXCEL Alternative Education Center. Mrs. Cherry has been married to her highschool sweetheart for 22 years. They have three children, three dogs, and three cats. As a family they enjoy camping, crafting, and serving in their community.

Jodie Price

ESE Staffing/Program Specialist
Phone: 850-973-5717

Jodie Price has lived in Madison County for over 50 years. She attended Florida State University and earned her Bachelor's degree in social work. She worked for the Department of Children and Families for 16 years and decided on a career change. She started working for Madison County School District working full time in 2004 in numerous positions at the district level. Mrs. Price was an ESE Support Teacher for 8 years, retired one year and came back to work as an ESE Support Teacher. She was then employed as an ESE Staffing Specialist at Madison County High School, James Madison Prepatory High School, Waypoint School and Bridge Alternative School. Mrs. Price is married to George A Williams, Jr.

Jodie enjoys working with the students at the various schools and has been committed to serving the Madison community for numerous years in various roles.

Renae Williams

ESE Receptionist Clerk
Phone: 850-973-5029
Renae Williams, born and raised in Live Oak and moved to Madison in 1992 when she met the love of her life Jayson Williams, Renae serves as the ESE Receptionist/Clerk, at the Madison County Central School, for the Madison County School District. She is a graduate of Suwannee County High School. Renae earned a degree in the nursing field but quickly discovered that the field of education and helping others had her heart. She has been working for the school district since her oldest daughter started school in 1994, she has worked in a variety of positions including Substitute Teacher, Paraprofessional and now Receptionist/Clerk which she loves.
Renae is married to Jayson Williams and they successfully have run Jayson’s Heating and A/C in Madison since 1992, she also has three daughters, 3 amazing son in loves, and 5 grandchildren who she takes her every breath for! In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family especially her grandchildren!  Renae also loves hunting, being on the water and traveling near and far.
Renae & Jayson are members of Hickory Grove Methodist Church.

Mary Ellis

ESE Administrative Assistant
Phone: (850) 973-1566
Mrs. Mary Ellis was born in Orlando and raised in Madison County.  She attended schools in Madison and completed her secretarial training at North Florida Jr. College in 1988.  She worked as a secretary for Dixie Packers for 16 years and worked for Smithfield for another 2 years until plant closure in 2006.  She began working with Arc Big Bend in 2006 as an administrative assistant and remained for 15 years.  Mary joined the ESE Department in September 2021 as the Administrative Assistant to the ESE Coordinator, Melinda Richie.  Mary has been married to Frank Ellis for 33 years and they have three children and five grandchildren.  She enjoys spending time with her family, shooting ASA bow tournaments with her husband, and vacationing at the beach.  She is a member of Lee United Methodist Church.