Meet Our Principals

                                                  Click on names to e-mail a message.  We'd love to hear from you!

                                                                                                    Mrs. Leah Cotter, Principal

                                                                                       

A note from Mrs. Cotter:

Hello, 
I have been an educator since 1992, when I began my first job as a third grade teacher in a rural Missouri school.  My goal was always to be a teacher at Mountain Home Public Schools.  In 1996, I achieved this goal by becoming a kindergarten teacher at Mountain Home Kindergarten Center .  I have taken advantage of many educational opportunities throughout my career.  Because of these opportunities, I feel that I bring a wide range of beneficial experiences to Nelson-Wilks-Herron Elementary.  My experiences include teaching grade levels P, K, 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9, middle school assistant principal, clinical supervisor for ASU, adjunct instructor for ASU, and serving on various committees.  I received my B.A. and M.A. degrees from Arkansas State University . I am so proud to be a part of this extraordinary learning community.  I believe that by working together (parents, teachers, administrators, and students) we are making important investments in the future of our community.  If I can assist you in any way, please feel free to contact me.  My door is always open!

 

                                                                                               Mrs. Rita Persons, Assistant Principal

 

A note from Mrs. Persons:

Hello,

I have been in education since 1990 when I began as a substitute teacher and an Alternative Learning Classroom assistant. I earned a B.A. degree in Elementary Education in 1996 and began teaching second grade. Then in 2005, I earned a M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock . I have served as an ELLA lead teacher and on many committees including ACSIP, curriculum, intervention programs and development, Arkansas Reading First Leadership Team, and Personnel Policy Committee chairperson, as well as others.

I am very excited about becoming a part of the Mountain Home School District and working as assistant principal here at Nelson-Wilks-Herron Elementary. I am looking forward to working together with parents, teachers, students, administrators, and the community to continue providing an excellent educational experience which encourages students to, “Be The Best You Can Be” as is our mission. Please feel free to contact me here in the South Wing office if I can be of any assistance to you.