Amber Stephens has resigned as Houston Middle School principal.
Dr. Allen Moss, superintendent, said Stephens has accepted a position as elementary counselor and special education process coordinator at Licking Schools. Her resignation was accepted Tuesday night by the Houston school board and announced Friday morning.
Stephens, who was extended a contract in February through the 2019-’20 school year, was hired in April 2015 as HMS principal. She previously served two years as the district’s assistant high school principal.
Stephens, 36, is a Licking native and previously taught five years in the district before coming to Houston as high school counselor in 2010.
“She has done such a great job with our middle school,” Moss said. “She has a great staff and has really gotten the middle school headed in the right direction. She is also a vital part of our administrative team here at Houston.
“We hate to see her go, but also know she has to do what is best for her and her family. She will be greatly missed.”
Moss said the vacancy created by Stephens’ departure will be posted online Friday. He said a committee of middle school staff members will be created to evaluate applications and assist him with making a recommendation to the school board, which meets again April 12.
Stephens has a background in special education, middle school teaching and counseling. Her career includes special education at Success Elementary School and Salem Middle School. She taught social studies, physical education and health at Licking Middle School 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. She was selected from a pool of 26 applicants when she was named Houston Middle School principal.