Meet the newest administrators for 2019-2020

Meet the newest administrators for 2019-2020
Posted on 05/17/2019
Welcome, new administrators!Mehlville School District is pleased to announce that beginning with the 2019-2020 school year Julie Durham will be the Principal of Hagemann Elementary School and Meagan Ochoa will be Assistant Principal of Bierbaum Elementary School.

Last night, the Mehlville School District Board of Education unanimously voted to approve the hiring of these three administrators after a thorough candidate search and selection process. Several highly qualified candidates applied for these positions, and parents and staff provided feedback into qualities they’d like to see in their new principals and served on interview panels.

Julie Durham, Principal of Hagemann Elementary School 
Julie Durham"Mrs. Durham is a proven leader dedicated to continuous improvement for all of our students and staff," said Dr. Jeff Bresler, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Mehlville School District. "Her student-centered approach and passion for learning aligns with the values of the Hagemann community. She believes in establishing and embracing relationships that benefit our students. Her positive attitude is contagious."
 
Durham has worked as Assistant Principal at Trautwein Elementary School and Wohlwend Elementary School for the past two years. She has also served as an elementary summer school principal for three summers, and was a classroom teacher at Wohlwend from 2005 to 2017. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Missouri, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Lindenwood University and a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Southwest Baptist University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

"I am extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to be the next leader of Hagemann Elementary," Durham said. “As the new leader, I will work alongside Hagemann's dedicated educators to continue to provide our students the love, support and guidance they need to be successful learners. I cannot wait to begin my work with the Hagemann community as we grow together in the upcoming school year!"

Durham lives in Oakville, with her husband, Mike, and her two children, Nicholas and Ashley.

She will begin serving as Principal at Hagemann Elementary School on July 1, 2019. Durham replaces Dr. Scott Andrews who announced he will retire at the end of the current school year. 

Meagan Ochoa, Assistant Principal of Bierbaum Elementary School 
Meagan Ochoa"Ms. Ochoa is a conscientious educator and genuine leader," said Paul Morris, incoming Principal at Bierbaum Elementary School. "Bierbaum has made many improvements in the previous few years, and I know she will help me continue making progress for our students. I’m looking forward to working with Ms. Ochoa to provide a seamless transition for our students and staff."

Ochoa is currently an English Language teacher at Wohlwend Elementary School, where she has taught for 14 years. She’s served as elementary principal for Mehlville's elementary summer school and has been a substitute principal at three Mehlville School District elementary schools. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Houston Baptist University and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Southeast Missouri State University.

"I am honored to serve as the new assistant principal at Bierbaum Elementary," Ochoa said. "Bierbaum exemplifies all the characteristics of an outstanding school, promoting character education, celebrating diversity, setting high expectations, and pursuing academic excellence. I am eager to join the Bierbaum family in their journey of continuous improvement and developing students who thrive at school and in life."

Ochoa lives in Barnhart, with her three kids, Dylan, Victoria and Evelyn.

She will begin serving as Assistant Principal at Bierbaum Elementary School on July 1, 2019. She replaces Paul Morris who was promoted to Principal of Bierbaum beginning July 1.
The Mehlville School District strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity and other characteristics protected by law. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: contact Adam Smith at 314-467-5006 or [email protected].