FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lawson School District Welcomes Amanda Durbin as Southwest Elementary Assistant Principal for the 2025-2026 School Year
Lawson, MO – Southwest Elementary School is proud to announce hiring Mrs. Amanda Durbin as the new Assistant Principal for the 2025-2026 school year. With a proven track record of leadership, dedication, and a passion for fostering student and teacher success, Mrs. Durbin is an exciting addition to the Southwest Elementary team.
Mrs. Durbin brings a wealth of experience in education, specializing in behavior intervention, special education, and professional development. She earned her Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership K-12 from Northwest Missouri State University in October 2023. A Master of Arts complements her advanced education in Teaching from Columbia College and a Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Education Leadership from the University of Missouri.
In her most recent role as a Behavior Interventionist at Edison Elementary within the Saint Joseph School District, Mrs. Durbin has demonstrated her ability to support both students and staff through her expertise in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Highlights of her accomplishments include:
· Developing and implementing data-driven social-emotional learning (SEL) programs across grade levels.
· Coaching teachers in classroom management strategies and delivering professional development to improve teaching practices.
· Leading Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 behavior intervention initiatives and constructing comprehensive PBIS handbooks for school-wide use.
· Serving as Co-Leader of Edison’s New Teacher Cohort, mentoring educators to excel in their roles.
Mrs. Durbin’s leadership has been recognized through numerous accolades, including being named Edison Support Person of the Year (2023-2024) and a Rising Star in the Saint Joseph School District (1st Quarter, 2024). Additionally, she was a co-presenter at the Missouri Powerful Learning Conference in January 2024.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Amanda Durbin to Southwest Elementary School. Her commitment to creating positive learning environments and supporting both students and teachers aligns perfectly with our school’s mission to inspire and empower every learner,” said Mrs. Christina Cross, Principal of Southwest Elementary School.
Mrs. Durbin will officially begin her new role in the summer of 2025. She is eager to bring her expertise to the Southwest community and collaborate with staff, students, and families to continue building a culture of academic and behavioral excellence.
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Amanda Durbin to the Lawson family!