Courtney named Neelyville elementary principal

The Neelyville R-IV School Board named a Poplar Bluff elementary school instructional interventionist to be the new elementary principal.

Amy Courtney will start with the district in the next school year, according to a decision made by the board Feb. 15.

Courtney will move into the position presently held by Heather Black, who will be the district’s new superintendent. Current superintendent Debra Parrish retires at the end of the school year.

“Neelyville is a great school district,” Courtney said. “I am excited about joining the district as the elementary principal. My goal is to build positive relationships with students, staff, administrators and the community in order to help all students achieve success.”

Courtney has 18 years experience in education. She earned an associate of arts degree at Three Rivers College, a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and early childhood education and a master of science degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University.

After she graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2003, Courtney began working in the Poplar Bluff School District, where she has continued her career in the local system.

“I have taught kindergarten, first grade, fourth grade, and I am currently an instructional interventionist at the elementary level,” she said.

She and her husband, Jason, live in Poplar Bluff.

“We have four children (Easton 22, Lauren 21, Morgan 17, and Molina 9),” she said. “We enjoy watching youth sports. Our two youngest daughters are both active in multiple sports, so we enjoy spending our free time at ballparks and in gyms.”

Other new hires are curriculum director, Traci Reinbott, and assistant softball coach, Chris Smith.

Reinbott has 11 years of experience in education. She taught fourth-grade communications arts, seventh and eighth grade English language arts and high school English language arts. Currently, she is the technology integration specialist/high school instructional coach.

Reinbott has a bachelor of science degree in administrative office systems from Missouri State University and a master of science degree in education, teaching and learning emphasis from Hannibal-LaGrange University.

Smith has seven years experience, as well as a bachelor of science, health and physical education degree from Southeast Missouri State University and a master of science degree in athletic administration from Western Kentucky University.

The board rehired Justin Dobbins as high school principal, Patrick Morton as Hillview principal and Mandi Webster as director of special education.

The board accepted Jenny Blackman’s resignation.