~From the Sturgis News

Union County Public Schools superintendent Patricia Sheffer announced lastWednesday morning, April 18, that the Sturgis Elementary School site based decision making council has selected Michelle Hall as new principal at the school. Her hiring was effective that day.

Hall began serving as interim principal in February after Chad Davis left the school to accept a position in Monticello. In January, Hall began serving the school as a curriculum specialist, a position she had also held at Uniontown Elementary. Though Hall has only been at Sturgis Elementary for a few months, she said Friday, "I feel like I have been here forever. The kids and the staff are wonderful."

Her love of the children was evident Wednesday when a school wide assembly was held to announce her as the school's new principal. According to Sheffer, a celebration ensued with students and teachers alike cheering enthusiastically. Even students congratulated Hall throughout the day on her selection. "I feel very honored to have this position," Hall noted; "there is a culture of family already here, and the rapport with the kids is wonderful."

During her ten year career in education, the new principal has taught every grade in K-5 except first grade. After completing her bachelor's degree at Western Kentucky University, Hall taught for five years at East Heights Elementary in Henderson County. She earned masters degrees in education and education administration from Murray State. After moving back home to Union County, Hall taught third grade for three years at Morganfield Elementary before serving as a curriculum specialists at Union County Middle School. Following a two year stint at Morganfield Elementary as a guidance counselor, Hall returned to a curriculum specialist position at Uniontown.
"This (being principal) is the ultimate goal for me," Hall said Friday. "I enjoy it, I love the kids; it's very exciting and interesting." Hall also said she wants a lot of teacher input as to what is best for the school and students. She also said she will be working to provide more meaningful professional development for teachers and receiving input from the staff. "I believe in collaborative leadership," Hall said, "and I want us to develop a common language."

Her ultimate goal for the school--for Sturgis Elementary to become a Kentucky School of Distinction, which means scoring in the 90th percentile on state mandated tests. "I look forward to great things at Sturgis," Hall said on Friday.