Board approves hiring of three new administrators
Posted on 03/16/2023
The Mehlville Board of Education unanimously approved the hiring of three administrators for the 2023-2024 school year:
- Dr. Michelle Wood, Principal, Beasley Elementary School
- Abby Makowsky, Assistant Principal, Mehlville High School
- Jordan Willimann, Assistant Principal, Washington Middle School
Dr. Michelle Wood, Principal of Beasley Elementary School
“Dr. Wood has been a successful assistant principal for the district at both the elementary and middle school level,” said Dr. Chris Gaines, superintendent. “She has a long history of serving our students, and I look forward to her providing strong leadership to Beasley Elementary School in the 2023-2024 school year and beyond.”
Dr. Wood is in her fourth year as assistant principal at Trautwein and Wohlwend elementary schools. She served as assistant principal at Margaret Buerkle Middle School for six years. She has 10 years of classroom teaching experience as a social studies teacher at Oakville High School. Dr. Wood earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from University of Missouri - St. Louis, and a Master of Science in Secondary Educational Administration from Maryville University. In 2019, Dr. Wood earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Maryville University.
“I am so incredibly excited to have the opportunity to work alongside the Beasley students, staff and families next school year to continue all of the amazing work that is being done within the school and community,” Dr. Wood said. “The Beasley staff has a strong history of doing whatever it takes to help each and every one of their students be successful. I am so excited to see what we can accomplish together next school year!”
Dr. Wood will begin serving as principal of Beasley Elementary School on July 1, 2023. She’s replacing Andrea Deane who will be retiring at the end of this school year.
Abby Makowsky, Assistant Principal, Mehlville High School
Makowsky is an interim assistant principal at Mehlville High School. She has taught social studies and government for more than six years at Mehlville High School and Capital City High School in Jefferson City. She has served as a department leader at both high schools. Makowsky has also served as a Summer Session principal for Mehlville School District. Makowsky has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Social Studies Education from University of Missouri and a Master of Education in Administration and Leadership from William Woods University.
“I am super excited for Mrs. Makowsky to move into this role,” said Dr. Jason Landherr, principal of Mehlville High School. “As the interim assistant principal, she has demonstrated a commitment to building relationships with students and supporting teachers. She is a strong instructional leader who will help our building move forward with our goal to have effective teams collaborating to best support our students.”
“I want to thank the staff of Mehlville High School for giving me this opportunity,” Makowsky said. “As a leader at Mehlville, fostering collaborative relationships that support student success is my number one goal. I am honored to continue to support our culture at Mehlville, which is rooted in inclusivity, respect, responsibility and relationships.”
Makowsky will begin serving as assistant principal on July 1, 2023.
Jordan Willimann, Assistant Principal, Washington Middle School
Willimann is a math teacher at Maplewood Richmond Heights Middle School. He has 10 years of teaching experience in Maplewood Richmond Heights, and at New Haven Middle School and Jefferson Middle School, both in central Missouri. He has also served as a math department leader and baseball, basketball and track coach.
Willimann has a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Maryville University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Columbia College. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from Maryville University.
“Mr. Willimann will be a great fit at Washington Middle and will build strong relationships with our community,” said Kelly Roberts, principal at Washington Middle School. “He has a strong background in supporting students and will be a wealth of knowledge to our team as we head into the third year of implementing tiered academic supports for our students.”
“I am extremely excited to begin working with the students, staff, parents and community members of Washington Middle School and the Mehlville School District,” Willimann said. “I look forward to being a part of the strong relationships already formed at WMS and ensuring it is a place where all students, staff and community members can grow and feel a sense of belonging.”
Willimann will begin serving as assistant principal at Washington Middle School on July 1, 2023.