When school resumes in August, Wright City East Elementary will be under new leadership.Dawn Hickman, who formerly served as the instructional technology facilitator, has been chosen as head principal. The R-II board approved her hiring during its monthly meeting June 22.She replaces Michele Reigh, who retired after six years of serving the district. Reigh began at Wright City East Elementary when the building opened in 2009, before leaving for a position in the Valley Park School District and later returning to East Elementary.“She opened the building when it first started and has done a fantastic job,” said Superintendent Dr. David Buck. “She has done very well at increasing rigor and putting inventions in place. She also did a great job of getting the community involved and hosting special events. We will miss her smiling presence in the district.”Hickman says she hopes to continue the positive relationships and parent connectivity within the school.“I want to continue working with the community and get to know them better. We want to continue the family atmosphere that exists at East,” said Hickman, who prevailed in a pool of 22 applicants, six of whom were interviewed.“It was a very competitive field,” said Buck. “It became a clear choice that Dawn was the one for the job. All the teachers have learned from her and turn to her often.”Hickman was an elementary teacher in the Troy School District for the 18 years prior to that.“I have my administration degree, so it’s always been something I’ve been interested in,” said Hickman of the principal role. “Being in the district for a few years I fell in love with the East Elementary family. When the position opened up it tugged at my heart, and I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.”She is looking forward to the transition into her new role, which officially takes place on July 1. Hickman says she is eager to make a significant impact in the lives of her students.“I have such a passion for working with kids,” said Hickman. “I feel like we have such an influence at such a young ages, so helping the teachers and families understand the difference we can make is most exciting for me.”

Dawn Hickman