About Cassandra Mayes

Cassandra Mayes has spent her life serving Arkansas families through education, community leadership, and public service.

 

Adopted at birth and raised in Crossett, Cassandra grew up in a family of educators. Her father was a Korean War veteran and longtime high school principal, and her mother was a special education teacher who later became Special Education Director for Crossett Public Schools.

 

A strong student, she earned a full academic scholarship to attend college and went on to earn degrees in Deaf Education and Special Education, followed by a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She later pursued doctoral studies in educational leadership, further strengthening her expertise in how schools and systems can better serve students and families.

 

Cassandra built a distinguished career spanning nearly 30 years in Arkansas education. She began her work in the North Little Rock School District, where she helped develop programs for students with hearing impairments. She later became Special Education Director for the Beebe School District, where she was the youngest supervisor in the state at the time.

 

Her leadership experience continued at the Arkansas Department of Education, where she helped oversee training and professional development for educators across the state. She went on to serve in multiple leadership roles within the Little Rock School District, including Special Education Supervisor, Section 504 Coordinator, and Coordinator of Alternative Programs.

 

In these roles, Cassandra worked directly with students and families facing real challenges, helping ensure access to education and support services. She also served as a Student Hearing Officer, presiding over disciplinary hearings and working to ensure fairness and accountability in the system.

 

Throughout her career, Cassandra earned recognition for her leadership and impact, including the Judge Evans Leadership Award through the Arkansas Department of Education. She played a key role in developing juvenile diversion efforts in Pulaski County, served on statewide task forces focused on education and child welfare, and worked closely with courts and social service agencies to support at-risk youth.

 

Her commitment to service extends well beyond the classroom. Cassandra has been actively involved in numerous professional and community organizations, including the National Education Association, Arkansas Education Association, Council for Exceptional Children, and the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators. She has also served on task forces with the Department of Human Services and the Disability Rights Center, and as a charter board member of The Excel Center through Goodwill Industries.

 

In the community, Cassandra has been a consistent presence, volunteering her time and supporting local initiatives. She is a member of the Maumelle Chamber of Commerce and remains actively engaged in efforts that strengthen the local community.

 

Faith is an important part of Cassandra’s life. She and her husband, Reverend Terence L. Mayes, Jr., share a commitment to service, ministry, and helping others. Together, they are active in church and community outreach efforts. Cassandra is also the proud mother one son.

After retiring from the Little Rock School District in 2025, Cassandra continues to look for ways to serve her community and make a difference.

 

Her life’s work has been focused on helping people, solving problems, and standing up for families, guided by a belief in pragmatism over partisanship.