Dr. Handley is a veteran educator with almost 30 years of experience in the field. She was an award winning principal for 16 years and created a school culture that attracted and retained highly effective teachers. In 2017 Handley was named Hilliard Lyons Principal of the Year. She led Kenwood to have one of the highest MAP growth achievements of Title I schools in her district across subgroups, be selected as a Bright Spot School by the Prichard Committee, be selected as a State and National School of Character, be recognized as a Success Story School by Solution Tree, a National ESEA Distinguished School and the first school in her state to certify as a Family Friendly School.