Alcorn Central High School is proud to welcome and celebrate Jon Riddell as our new Guidance Counselor during National School Counselor Week. With a passion for helping students grow and achieve their goals, Mr. Riddell is eager to make a positive impact on our school and community.
As a graduate of Mississippi State and the University of Southern Mississippi, he is well educated in special education and school counseling. While at Mississippi State, he was dubbed Outstanding Student Teacher his senior year. Mr. Riddell comes to Alcorn Central with a wealth of experience–serving in schools across five states. He has served as a self-contained special education teacher, inclusion teacher, data quality supervisor and school counselor. He has spent nearly 30 years dedicating himself to the success of students across the southeast.
Though this is his first experience working in a small, rural school, he is looking forward to embracing the close-knit environment that makes ACHS special. “I am looking forward to being a part of this great, small community,” he shares.
Mr. Riddell’s journey into education was inspired by his love for seeing people grow and improve their lives. “I enjoy seeing students set goals and work toward successfully completing them,” he says. This passion drives his approach to counseling, as he aims to help students use career test results to create four-year plans and post-secondary plans that align with their future aspirations.
Beyond the school walls, Mr. Riddell is actively involved in his church, where he serves on the vestry and enjoys planning activities to strengthen his church community. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, camping, kayaking, skiing, and playing tennis—hobbies that reflect his adventurous and well-rounded nature.
Excited about his new role, Mr. Riddell sees great potential at ACHS. “This school has many positive qualities and is headed in the right direction with the current administration. I want to support and see ACHS continue excelling to become one of the top public schools in the state.”
Please join us in welcoming Jon Riddell to the ACHS family! We are excited to see the impact he will have on our students and community.