Houston Schools has hired within the district to fill the vacancy of middle school principal.
Amber Stephens emerged from a pool of 26 applicants and was named the new leader of Houston Middle School at Tuesday night’s board meeting. She replaces Terry Mayfield, who resigned last month after accepting a superintendent position closer to his family in northern Missouri.
A Licking native, Stephens has a background in special education, middle school teaching and counseling. She is concluding her second year as Houston High School assistant principal.
“We think she has the right demeanor, attitude and skill set to move that building forward,” Superintendent Scott Dill said. “She will be good for kids. There is no doubt about it.”
Stephens, who turns 34 in July, has served two stints with Houston Schools. Along with her current duties, she was the HHS counselor from 2010-’12.
“I’m excited to bridge the gap from elementary to middle and high school. I think with my knowledge background I can do that,” Stephens said. “I would like to be someone who will be in the middle school long term.”
A 1999 Licking High School graduate, Stephens earned a degree in education from Drury University. She received a masters in counseling from Missouri State University in 2012 and completed a specialist from William Woods this past year.
Stephens’ career includes special education at Success Elementary School and Salem Middle School. She taught social studies, physical education and health at Licking Middle School for five years before coming to Houston as high school counselor. Stephens was the middle school counselor in Salem for one year before returning to Houston in 2013 as assistant high school principal.
Dill said hiring within the district will make the transition a smooth one when Stephens officially begins her new duties July 1.
“This really puts us ahead of the curve for the 2015-’16 school year,” Dill said. “The nice thing about promoting from within is they are very familiar with our culture, community, expectations and values. It’s an easy way to ensure we are hiring leaders who are reflective of our school system and community.”
Dill said the district has several instructors who have completed the necessary degree work and expressed a desire to become administrators. He said the new assistant high school principal could be an internal hire as well.
“We want to grow our own,” he said. “We want the best candidates in positions, and I think we have several people on staff who are qualified and will be interested. It’s all about moving pieces and making sure we have the right people in the right spots.”