Joe Marshall, Jefferson County Schools

Kentucky School Advocate
February 2022

Q. You live in Louisville, but grew up in Anderson Co. and your father is a Lawrenceburg city council member. Did your dad’s public service inspire you to serve in elected office?  

A. My dad has been a pastor for many years, so public service was what we grew up doing. You know that saying, “Give the shirt off my back?” That is my family. We honestly care about people, and if there’s an opportunity to give people something we have that they need, that’s what we do.

Q. In addition to the West End School where you now teach, you’ve also taught in Jefferson Co. Schools. How does your experience as a teacher help you as a board member?

A. Teaching at the West End School, a nonprofit private school that mostly serves African American male students, is an opportunity for me to stand in a room full of students who remind me of myself at their age. It allows me to make true connections and focus on mentorship and growing kids’ love of learning. That has helped inform my work on the board. I see what can give teachers like myself more passion for being in the classroom. I try to alleviate things that can get in the way and cloud teachers’ eyes. I came to my board seat when a board member resigned so when I interviewed with the current board I told them I felt that choosing a current teacher would go a long way in letting teachers know their voice is meaningful and that this board is going to lean on teacher voice and take recommendations from them. I am able to come to meetings and say, “I know what I’m experiencing and it is very close to what other teachers are experiencing.”  

Q. You were appointed to the board in 2019 and have run twice since then. What has surprised you most about being a school board member?

A. Once you see what it takes to run a school district, especially one the size of Jefferson Co., it can take you aback. Even as a classroom teacher, I assumed a lot, and now that I’ve seen all the moving parts, it has humbled me in a lot of ways. A district of this size takes a lot of people moving in the right direction.

Q. We are talking during Black History Month, which was started by Black teachers. Why is it important for all students to learn about the legacy and contributions of African Americans?A. One thing I appreciate about Jefferson Co. is the rich diversity we have in staff, teachers, students and families. There is so much we can learn from each other. Understanding the contributions made by African Americans in the past shows us all how great we can be when we come together and help make sure everybody has what they need. Every year, I enjoy doing my Black History project with students, as we learn about people who made a big difference. It can be inspiring to all students.  

Q. People unfamiliar with Jefferson County may not understand how areas of the county differ from one another. Describe your district.

A. My district is similar to Lawrenceburg and Anderson Co., where I grew up. Hard-working families who want opportunity: a good life, a good job and good schools. This is a busy area for auto making with many factories and businesses. Views of the Ohio River on one side and Dixie Highway on the other. My district speaks to the diversity that is this county.

Profession: Fourth-grade teacher at West End School  

Hometown: Lawrenceburg

Family: wife LeTicia; daughters; Corrina, 6, and Camilla, 8 months.

Favorite subject in school: Drama. I performed supporting roles like Snoopy in “You’re a Good Man”, Charlie Brown and Mercutio in “Romeo and Juliet.”      

Hobbies: My kitchen is my therapy. My brother and I started a barbecue catering business for 2020.

Book recommendation: “Good Leaders Ask Great Questions” by John C. Maxwell. It’s all about leaders listening: active listening and paying attention to what people say, spending more time asking questions and allowing people to talk. It changed the way I communicate with everyone, including my children.

Interesting fact: In high school, I played bass in a heavy metal band called Battery, a Metallica cover band that lasted eight months and played one show at the Burgoo Festival, the height of our careers.