New Principals Announced for Wilson's Creek and Delaware
Springfield, Mo., Wednesday, April 24, 2024 – Springfield Public Schools has named principals for Delaware Elementary School and Wilson’s Creek Intermediate School. They will begin their new responsibilities effective July 1.
Dr. Mark Davis II has been named the next principal of Wilson’s Creek Intermediate School. He currently serves as School Founders Fellow with New Schools for Alabama in Macon County, where he has helped create and design a new charter school which provides students innovative learning opportunities in aviation, agriculture, science, technology, engineering, mathematics and art.
He will follow Dr. Karyn Christy, who is retiring at the end of the school year after a 22-year career with SPS.
Davis has served as a building administrator in small and large schools in both rural and urban environments, including the St. Louis and Jefferson City areas. Other experience includes working as a regional network administrator and integration manager for the KIPP Foundation and as program administrator of agriculture, food and natural resources for St. Louis Public Schools. Davis has also worked as a business instructor for Imagine College Preparatory High School in St. Louis.
He earned a bachelor’s in agribusiness from Langston University School of Agriculture, a master’s in business administration from Webster University School of Business and a doctorate in educational leadership from St. Louis University School of Education.
"My most exciting pursuit is to build on a legacy of academic excellence rooted in the development of knowledge through meaningful experiences; the ultimate goal of which is growing purpose-driven learners into citizens who are invaluable to our communities," Davis said.
Lauren Hassell has been named the next principal of Delaware Elementary School. She currently serves as assistant principal at Jeffries Elementary School.
She will follow Stephanie Young, who has accepted the principal position at Hickory Hills K-8 School.
Hassell joined SPS in 2010 and taught kindergarten and first grade for 11 years. In 2021, she became a school community liaison at Jeffries, collaborating with staff, families and the community to provide support for Jeffries students.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction and educational administration from Missouri State University.
“I am honored and so excited to become part of the Delaware community and to support our students in finding their sense of belonging and reaching their academic potential,” Hassell said.
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Note: Photos of the new principals may be downloaded here.
