A former athletic director and basketball coach at Plato Schools has been named the new Houston Middle School principal.
Acting superintendent Scott Dill announced Tuesday that Jeremie Akins had been offered and accepted the position following Monday night’s special board meeting. He was chosen from a field of three finalists.
Akins has been a math teacher in the Stockton School District the past four years. He is currently serving as the curriculum director for the middle school.
Dill, who knew Akins from their time together in a specialist program at Southwest Baptist University, said they share similar education philosophies.
“He demonstrates a passion for learning and middle school students,” Dill said. “It comes through when he speaks about his classroom experiences and about becoming an administrator. He demonstrates a commitment to the kids and the learning process and recognition to their individual needs. At the same time, he understands he is responsible to the community and school as a whole.
“He has a very good balance in his character, education and goals for the school.”
Akins graduated from Skyline High School in 1995 and earned a physical education degree from SBU in 2002. His first educational employment was with the Plato School District.
Akins earned his masters from Missouri State University in 2007 and completed his specialist with SBU in 2010.
Akins and his wife have four children. Dill said Akins and his family plan to move to Houston at the beginning of the summer.
Dill said a teacher committee consisting of leaders from every subject level within the middle school spent two weeks analyzing applications. He said the group extended interviews to nine candidates. Seven were interviewed –– two declined the request –– and three finalists were presented to the school board.
“We had very strong candidates,” Dill said. “We were fortunate to be in that position. It was not an easy decision.”
Dill praised the teacher committee for its efforts in the process.
“I really appreciate the hard work the committee put in,” he said. “They donated hours above and beyond the regular school day. Their efforts are very much appreciated. They presented the board with three strong candidates.”