Virgin Islands Department of Education Welcomes New Legal Counsel, Chilesa J. Ready, Esq.

The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Chilesa J. Ready, Esq., as the new Legal Counsel for the Department. With extensive experience and a diverse skill set, Attorney Ready brings a wealth of knowledge to the VIDE.

Attorney Ready is an accomplished attorney, speaker, writer, and educator who has served in various prominent legal roles. Prior to joining the VIDE, she was a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Willard Proctor Jr. of the 5th Division Circuit Court in Arkansas, an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Division of the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, and most recently, a Staff Attorney and VOCA Director at Legal Services of the Virgin Islands.

Attorney Ready earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Political Science from Tougaloo College and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas William H. Bowen School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Arkansas, Arizona, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her impressive career also includes time as a high school English teacher in San Antonio, Texas, where she focused on education while raising her family.

Attorney Ready is committed to service and community involvement. Her volunteerism includes work with Prison Fellowship, Hope Women’s Center, and the Family Resource Center. A staunch advocate for education, Attorney Ready believes in the power of commitment and hard work, and her personal motto, "Nothing is Impossible When You Take the Limits Off Your Life," reflects her passion for making a positive impact.

Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington expressed her excitement about Attorney Ready's appointment, stating, "We are pleased to welcome Attorney Ready to the Virgin Islands Department of Education. Her extensive legal experience, dedication to service, and commitment to education will be invaluable as she works to support our mission of providing quality education and resources for students, employees, and families across the Virgin Islands."

The Virgin Islands Department of Education is confident that Attorney Ready’s skills, experience, and passion will contribute greatly to the Department’s ongoing efforts to enhance educational opportunities and outcomes for all stakeholders.

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