Brennan Woods Elementary School in High Ridge will have a new principal next school year.
The Board of Education has hired Annie Hammond to take over as principal, replacing Jeannie Davis, who is leaving after nearly two decades with the Northwest R-1 School District and one year as principal at Brennan Woods.
Hammond, 38, currently is an assistant principal at the De Soto School District’s Athena Elementary School.
She starts her new job at Brennan Woods on July 1 and will be paid $88,581.60 next school year as principal, a $13,769.60 increase over her current salary as an assistant principal at Athena Elementary.
Davis is being paid a $96,703.20 annual salary this school year as the Brennan Woods principal.
Hammond began her educational career in 2009 as a paraprofessional at Vineland Elementary in the De Soto school district, and after earning teacher certification, she became an English teacher at De Soto High School in 2010.
After two years of teaching at De Soto High School, she returned to Vineland Elementary as a sixth-grade teacher, and in 2017, Hammond became an assistant principal at Athena Elementary.
Hammond said she was interested in teaching ever since she was a little girl, but decided to pursue a degree in business instead, earning one from Blackburn College in 2007. However, it wasn’t long until the teaching bug got to her and she switched career paths.
“As I grew up and heard teachers should earn more money for what they do, I attained my original degree in business,” she said. “I still felt the teacher void that I longed for growing up.
“Before getting married, I decided to go back (to school) and become a certified teacher.”
In 2012, she married fellow educator, Zeb Hammond, who also taught in the De Soto School District and now is an assistant principal at De Soto Junior High School.
“At the time, Zeb was already in education and was a major motivator and supporter for me,” Hammond said.
She went back to school at Missouri Baptist University, earning a master’s degree in education administration in 2013.
“My entire career has prepared me for this role – my education, being a paraprofessional, a teacher, and an assistant principal,” Hammond said. “Specifically, the assistant principal role has allowed me to learn and lead as an administrator in the building and community.
“Education is so fulfilling and rewarding for so many reasons. Moving into administration has allowed me to support and encourage the entire building and community.”
Grace Green, assistant superintendent of elementary schools for the Northwest district, said Hammond was a good choice for the job.
“Brennan Woods has a strong staff and school community, and we are looking forward to Mrs. Hammond’s positive attitude that she will bring to the work,” Green said. “When any organization has good leadership, people will be successful and have joy in their daily work.”
Hammond said she is eager to start her new job.
“I enjoy working and interacting with students, staff and families, as well as embracing each new learning experience,” she said. “Meeting this community and building new, strong relationships is a priority for me.”
The Hammonds have one daughter, Lo, and one son, Mac. The family also has two dogs, Ruger and Bella.
The Northwest school board voted 5-0 in favor of hiring Hammond, with board president Mary Thomasson and member Gary Bonacker absent from the meeting.
Seven people applied for the job, communications coordinator Chuck McPherson said.