Voices Editor-in-Chief Leigh Spence is among seven leadership positions named today for Muriel Williams Battle High School. The staff members will serve as key leaders in the opening of the new school.

The selection comes more than a year before the opening of Battle High School in the fall of 2013. The staff members will join Principal Kim Presko, who was named in November 2011.

“The school district considered several outstanding candidates as it went through the process of selecting the leadership for Battle High School,” said Superintendent Chris Belcher. “We wanted individuals who would provide strong leadership and aid in community development for the school as the culture, building environment and student population are being identified.”

Battle High School Leadership Team

Assistant Principal Andrew McCarthy – Andrew McCarthy is currently serving as an assistant principal at Hickman High School. He holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri and will complete his doctorate in education in 2014. McCarthy has been employed by Columbia Public Schools since 2005 and has served as a teacher, summer school principal and assistant principal.

Director of Guidance Leigh Spence – Leigh Spence is currently a counselor at Hickman High School. She holds a master’s in education in counseling from Stephens College. Spence has been employed by Columbia Public Schools since 1995 and has been a counselor at Hickman High School since 2002.

Band Director Robert Thalhuber – Robert Thalhuber is currently the associate director of bands at Rock Bridge High School. He holds a master’s degree in music from the University of Missouri. He has been employed by Columbia Public Schools as the associate director of bands at Rock Bridge High School since 2006.

Choral Director Jazz Rucker – Jazz Rucker is currently the vocal music educator at Lange Middle School. Rucker holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Missouri. Rucker has been employed by Columbia Public Schools since 2011 and has five years of experience as a vocal music director.

Media Specialist Jayme Pingrey – Jayme Pingrey is currently the media specialist at Oakland Junior High School. Pingrey holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri. Pingrey has been employed by Columbia Public Schools since 2005 and was previously a teacher at Oakland Junior High School before becoming the media specialist in 2011.

Head Football Coach Justin Conyers – Justin Conyers is currently a physical education teacher and assistant head football coach at Rock Bridge High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Westminster College. He has been employed by Columbia Public Schools for eight years and has served as a teacher, assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Rock Bridge football program.

“We are thrilled to have a very talented group of student-centered educators to begin the traditions of excellence at Battle High School,” said Presko.

Presko, Spence and Pingrey will officially begin their roles in July 2012; however, all will begin participating in planning and transition discussions for the opening of the new school immediately.

With the need to ensure a smooth opening of Battle High School in 2013, the district is also planning to announce the school’s athletic director as well as the boys’ and girls’ head basketball coaches as soon as selections are made.

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