Synetra Morris and Warren Collier have been named assistant principals for The Owl Creek School, Claire Garrett will become assistant principal at Root Elementary, and Jay Mirus will join the team as assistant principal at Vandergriff Elementary. The positions at these schools were vacant due to promotions of current assistant principals. Pending Board of Education approval, the four assistant principals will begin in their new roles on July 1, 2017.
“It is a very exciting time to be a part of the Fayetteville Public Schools,” said Michelle Hayward, incoming Executive Director of Elementary and Middle School Education. “A part of my new role will be to coach, mentor, and celebrate principals, assistant principals, and aspiring teacher leaders. I am so encouraged to see these rising leaders within our district achieve their goals. And in the end, it is our teachers, support staff, and students who will benefit from the energy, excitement, and expertise each of them brings to our district.”
Synetra Morris has served as an assistant principal in the district for the past five years. She has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in teaching from the University of Arkansas. Ms. Morris stated, “I am elated to be joining the Owl Creek family. The opportunity to add value to the already amazing faculty, staff, and students is an absolute dream.”
Warren Collier has taught in the math department of Fayetteville High School for the past four years. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Arkansas. “I am beyond blessed, grateful, and thankful to be offered this opportunity to serve as assistant principal at The Owl Creek School. I look forward to being an excellent role model for the students and a great partner with the faculty,” said Collier.
Claire Garrett has been within the Fayetteville Public Schools for 12 years, most recently serving as a special services designee for the district. “I am honored and ecstatic to serve Root Elementary School as assistant principal, and I am excited to continue with the rich culture and community partnerships that are currently in place. I am thrilled to call Root my new home,” said Garrett. Garrett received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in educational leadership at Arkansas State University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher.
Jay Mirus has taught in Fayetteville Public Schools since 2006, serving as a sixth grade science teacher and a curriculum technology specialist. He has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural, food, and life sciences, and a master’s degree in agricultural education, communication, and technology from the University of Arkansas. He also has a master’s in teaching from Harding University. “I am excited and honored to serve Vandergriff Elementary School as assistant principal. The strong culture and family environment of Vandergriff is a perfect fit, and I cannot wait to build relationships with all of the students, parents, faculty, and staff,” said Mirus.
Fayetteville Public Schools posted four assistant principal vacancies and received over 60 applications. However, twelve of those applications were current employees. A decision was made, based on education, experience, and quality of the applicants, to first interview and carefully consider the 12 internal candidates. That decision proved to be beneficial and a win-win for FPS.
“I am thrilled to be able to recommend internal candidates to the Board of Education for these assistant principal positions, and I am excited for their respective faculty, support staff, students, parents, and families,” stated Dr. Matthew Wendt, Superintendent of Schools. “It is a blessing for our system to acknowledge, interview, and promote talented FPS employees. The final “Framing Our Future” report highlighted the importance of internal promotion, and it is exciting to deliver on the efforts and outcomes of that process. I extend a thank you to those who served on interview committees. This is another great day for Fayetteville Public Schools.”