Amanda Spaunhorst has been hired by the School District of Washington as the Assistant Principal of Washington West Elementary, effective July 1, 2023. The Board of Education recently approved the hiring. Spaunhorst will replace Roxann Cochran.
Spaunhorst currently is a seventh-grade math and eighth grade money matters teacher at Washington Middle School. She’s been at the middle school and the SDOW for three years.
Prior to teaching at Washington Middle School, Spaunhorst was an eighth-grade math teacher at the Lincoln County R-III School District in Troy, Missouri, for two years. She got her start in education in 2016 as a paraprofessional for the St. Clair R-XIII School District.
“I’m so excited and ready for this. I’ve been interested in being an administrator since coming back to Washington and working at the middle school with Laura and Stacey (WMS Principal Laura Bruckerhoff and Assistant Principal Stacey Secor) and seeing what they do on a daily basis. I love where Dr. Kephart’s (Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Kephart) vision is for the District. I’m all in on it. I want to help make those things come to fruition with the teachers, students, parents and community. Being in administration is a great way to help that come about,” Spaunhorst said. “Washington West is going to become home away from home for me. I love being around elementary kids. You never know what each day is going to bring. It’s such an exciting opportunity.”
“I’m excited to welcome Amanda Spaunhorst to the Washington West family. Her instructional background and contributing work of our district's MTSS processes will be an asset to the building,” said Washington West Elementary Principal Joe Obermark. “She also is someone who will engage with our students, families and staff in meaningful ways. It's been wonderful talking with her and the excitement she has to join the West family.
“I'd also like to wish Roxann Cochran the best as she is leaving at the end of the school year. She has been wonderful to work with and is an exceptional leader and role model in our building. She will definitely be missed.”
A Washington High School graduate, Spaunhorst (maiden name is Jacquin) has an Associate of Arts Degree in Math Education from East Central College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Missouri Baptist University, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Missouri Baptist University. She’s currently working on her Educational Specialist Degree.
“Joe and I were in high school together. He remembered that and I didn’t, which I feel bad about it. He was a senior when I was a freshman. We both were in band,” Spaunhorst said of Obermark. “I’m super excited to work with Joe. He’s new at West also, but having a year under his belt and his years of experience is going to be beneficial to get his insight. For us to be a young admin team is a great opportunity to take Washington West to the next level. I know there’s a great staff at West. I’m excited to meet and work with my new family.”
Leaving the classroom and getting into administration presents a new and exciting challenge for Spaunhorst.
“It’s a little bittersweet to leave the classroom. I love teaching. It’s been a great experience, especially being only five years in. I’m going to miss it tremendously. Even telling my students at the middle school about it, I cried. I love my students at the middle school. I’m going to miss them,” Spaunhorst said. “Now that I have middle school experience, I can bring that to Washington West to help those students prepare for what they can expect at the middle school.
“Laura and Stacey have been amazing to work for. I’m so grateful for every opportunity they’ve given me. They’re so supportive and always willing to answer any questions I might have, whether it’s teaching or pursuing administration. My 7 White Team at the middle school has been the best. They’re so supportive and have made me a better teacher and a better person.”
Amanda and her husband, Bryan, high school sweethearts from their days at Washington High School, have four children. Cooper is 16 years old and a junior at Washington High School. Mya is 14 years old and a freshman at WHS. Owen is 12 years old and in sixth grade at Clearview Elementary. Parker is nine years old and in fourth grade at Clearview Elementary.
Amanda Spaunhorst is the new Assistant Principal at Washington West Elementary, effective July 1, 2023.