Youree Drive Middle School has a longstanding history of excellence and honor and it is my privilege and pleasure to serve as principal of such a great institution. My vision is to provide a safe and secure learning environment that focuses on quality instruction for students, support and sustainability for faculty and staff and positive school culture and community relations that fosters success for all stakeholders. Youree Drive Middle School is home to highly qualified staff who continue to provide academic and leadership opportunities that ensures a smooth transition to the high school setting. This school offers a variety of courses that caters to every kind of learner and allows each student to shine in their own way. I know that with the help of all stakeholders, YDMS will continue to flourish and reach even higher heights! I look forward to successful year!

Humbly yours,

Maria S. Edwards

Principal, Youree Drive Middle School

Kathryn M. Ferguson, Assistant Principal of Instruction, has served Caddo Parish Schools as an educator for over 20 years and has been a proud YDMS Spartan since 2002.  Mrs. Ferguson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with an emphasis in History from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and a Master of Education in School Administration and additional Certification in Supervision from Centenary College of Louisiana.  During her career, Mrs. Ferguson has served Youree Drive Middle AP Magnet School and Caddo Parish Schools in a variety of roles – District Social Studies Task Force Member, Mentor Teacher, Social Studies Department Chair, PBIS Team Leader, etc.  She has also worked with new teacher education programs in cooperation with area colleges and universities.  Mrs. Ferguson was selected as Middle School Teacher of the Year for the state of Louisiana in 2019. She has also been honored as Caddo Parish Middle School Teacher of the Year and twice as her school’s Teacher of the Year. She was also named a Louisiana PTA Educator of Distinction.  Placing an emphasis on continuing YDMS’s history of educational success as a positive, safe learning environment, Mrs. Ferguson endeavors to help all students, parents, faculty, and staff to have a “Super Spartan Day ” each and every day.

Mr. Amidon, Assistant Principal of Discipline, graduated from Southwood High School in 1992. He served in the United States Air Force from 1998-2005. Later, he attended Louisiana State University in Shreveport and received a Bachelor of Science in 2009. He then taught Health and Physical Education at Bellaire Elementary in Bossier Parish from 2010- 2021. As he taught, he earned his Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Louisiana State University in Shreveport in 2017. As he continued his teaching career, he taught 3 years at University Elementary in Caddo Parish from 2022-2024; 2 years as a Health and Physical Education Teacher with 1 year as a Librarian / 5th Grade Math Teacher.

Mr. Amidon enjoys watching LSU athletics, sports, technology, and spending time with family. He is married to his wife, Brooklyn Amidon. Together, they have 5 children.