Longtime Festus R-6 School District teacher Tammy VanEtten has been promoted to fill a newly created assistant principal job at Festus High School.
The Festus Board of Education voted 6-0 during a May 16 closed meeting to name VanEtten to the new position. Board member Brent Abrams was absent from the meeting.
Jason Therrell has been working as both an athletic director and assistant principal at the high school, but that job is being split into two, and Therrell will continue as athletic director, with VanEtten taking over the assistant principal duties.
Festus Superintendent Nicki Ruess said increased enrollment in the district has created the need for the new administrative job at the high school.
VanEtten was chosen out of 26 applicants, Ruess said.
“Mrs. VanEtten has been a special education teacher for us for many years, both at the high school and elementary levels,” Ruess said. “She has a positive impact on her students. She incorporates quality instructional practices that help lead to increased student achievement.
“During her tenure as an educator, she continually builds positive relationships with students, families and staff. She also served as our (kindergarten through fourth grade) summer school principal last year and will be serving in that role again this summer. I am confident Mrs. VanEtten’s leadership and passion for education will be a benefit to the students and staff of Festus High School.”
VanEtten will start her new job on July 1 and will see her salary increase from $60,500 as a teacher to $80,000 as an assistant principal.
VanEtten, 44, has been a special education teacher for 14 years, all for the Festus School District.
“This is my second career,” she said. “I worked in marketing before coming to education. My first 11 years as a teacher were at the high school, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I went to Festus Elementary School (for the last three years) to garner additional experience.”
She said she feels comfortable in the Festus School District.
“I feel Festus is very family- and community-oriented. I’ve enjoyed my time here,” she said.
VanEtten earned an associate degree from Jefferson College, followed by a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a certification in special education, a master’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in educational administration, all from Missouri Baptist University-St. Louis.
She and her husband, Michael, have three sons and live in Festus.
Festus High Principal Karl Shininger said he is happy to see VanEtten join his administrative team.
“She has a true passion for helping students succeed and is able to create strong and positive relationships with all stakeholders,” Shininger said. “Her experience as a high school and elementary special education teacher, partnered with her knowledge of the building and the district, will allow her to quickly get settled in the role and make an impact in many areas.”
VanEtten’s focus as an assistant principal will be on curriculum and instruction, as well as on improving student attendance, Shininger said.
Joe Roth is the high school’s other assistant principal.