Delta Soror to become first black superintendent of Cahokia School District

Manning, who holds a PhD in education administration from St. Louis University, replaces Jana Bechtoldt.

Manning also was the first black principal of two Dupo Elementary schools simultaneously — East Carondelet and Hough. She left there in 2000 to come to the Cahokia School District to be principal of the Werth-Parks Middle School.

Asked what she was most proud of at the sixth-grade center, Manning said, “I helped to bring the grades up there. And, with me, it’s all about children and their education. I know that for them to succeed in life they will have to have a solid education.

She added: “The staff and administration in Dupo trained me well.”

Manning, 56, first came to O’Fallon Township High School to work as a speech pathologist in 1991 when she and her husband, retired Lt. Col. Grady Manning, moved to the area from Alaska.

Manning said she always set the bar high for herself. So, she said she sets the bar high for students, parents and teachers as well. Manning said doing the best academic work possible, achieving the best grades, and providing the best learning atmosphere for students to work and learn in takes “parents, teachers, students, and a superintendent who are willing to work with everybody to push for and ultimately obtain education excellence.”

Manning, 56, said she feels she has already made a positive difference in the Cahokia School District.

Manning is driven to push for and accomplish excellence because “I love my job and kids of all races. I have spent 35 years in education. I have two children, one in Carbondale (SIUC) who will graduate in May and another who graduated from Morehouse (College),” a historically black institution for men. She also has two grandchildren.

Manning said she begins each with “With the Lord on my mind. I thank him for letting me see the day. And I try to carry some positive, motivating thoughts with me into the building when I arrive at school,” she said.

Manning is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, East St. Louis chapter. She is a member of the East St. Louis NAACP, a member of CORO Women In Leadership and is on the board of the local YMCA.

Manning said she is proud that she got this job during Black History Month, and wants all students to know that their goals can be achieved if they “work as hard as they can.”