Springfield Public Schools announced several new building principals who will lead schools at the start of next school year, as well as a new executive director for the district’s middle and K-8 schools.
Kenneth Davis will be the district’s new middle school director. Currently working as a consultant specializing in boosting student achievement, he has 31 years of experience in public education, mainly in districts throughout Texas.
He served in several administrative roles in the Houston Independent School District, including executive director of equity and outreach, superintendent positions and principal at elementary, middle and high school levels.
Davis earned a doctorate in education from Lamar University, as well as his bachelor’s in child development from Rockford College and his master’s in elementary education from University of St. Thomas. He replaces Michael Methvin, who was recently hired as superintendent for the Bolivar School District.
Jennifer Allie has been named principal for Bissett Elementary. She is currently an assistant principal at a K-2 school in the Aurora School District. Before accepting that role, she worked as a literacy coach and teacher in the Aurora, Clever, Ozark and Wheatland districts.
Allie earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from Missouri State University as well as her master’s in educational administration and doctorate in educational leadership from Southwest Baptist University. She also earned a literacy coach certification from University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
She replaces Erica Rosenbaum, who has been named the principal of McBride Elementary.
Maggie Dickerson will lead Rountree Elementary as its new principal. Currently the school community liaison at Pittman, Dickerson has worked in SPS since 2018, teaching at Disney and as an Explore principal.
She earned her bachelor’s in elementary education from Fort Hays State University and her master’s in educational leadership from Missouri State University. She also has a master’s in business administration from University of Missouri-Kansas City, and is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership and curriculum from Evangel University.
She replaces Misty Ramsey, who accepted a position as director of special services for grades K-5.
Amy Fleming has been announced as the new principal of Harrison Elementary. She is currently the assistant principal at McGregor Elementary School, and was previously a teacher at Pershing and Williams.
She earned her bachelor’s in elementary education from Drury University, and her master’s in educational leadership from Evangel University — where she is also pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership and curriculum instruction.
Fleming replaces Shawn DeWitt, who is retiring.
Andrea Hangen will be principal of Wilder Elementary. Currently an assistant principal at Westport K-8, she was previously a teacher and instructional technologist at Twain Elementary.
She earned a bachelor’s in elementary education, a master’s in educational administration and a specialist’s degree in educational administration from Missouri State University.
Hangen will replace Adam Bax, who is shifting to principal of Field Elementary.
JoAnn Hite will lead Westport K-8 School as its principal. She is currently an assistant principal at Central High School, a post she has held for nine years. Before that, she taught middle school science, health and physical education for 14 years.
She earned a bachelor’s in physical education and health, and two master’s degrees — educational administration and education — from Missouri State University, as well as a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
She replaces Stephanie Wasko, who is leaving the post.
Shannon Jenkins will be principal at Mallory Early Childhood Center. She currently works as director of early childhood for Grain Valley Early Childhood Center, and has worked in a variety of leadership positions in the Grain Valley and Smithville school districts.
She earned a bachelor’s in early childhood from Park College, a master’s in special education from University of Missouri-Kansas City and a specialist degree in educational leadership and policy analysis from University of Missouri-Columbia.
Jenkins replaces Melissa Knetzer, who is retiring after 29 years with Springfield Public Schools.
Stephanie Young has been named as the next principal of Hickory Hills K-8. She has been the principal at Delaware Elementary for the last 11 years, and was the principal at Truman Elementary for seven years before that.
She earned a bachelor’s from Drury University and a master’s and specialist degree from Missouri State University.
Young replaces Becky Ash, who has accepted a principal position with the Branson school district.
