BLAND — Bland Middle School (BMS) will transition to new leadership on Aug. 1 as a former student and Belle Elementary School (BES) teacher Amanda Seaver ascends to the principal position. Seaver’s new role marks the first time in BMS history that a former student has taken the reigns in the leadership role, according to Maries R-2 Superintendent Dr. Lenice Basham.

“I think this will be our very first middle school principal who actually attended Bland Middle School and we are excited to have her return to that building in a leadership role,” Basham said. “She had an outstanding interview, very focused on student achievement and making sure middle schoolers are successful and ready to transition to the high school.”

Seaver began teaching in Vienna’s Maries R-1 School District 20 years ago.

“I started teaching in 2002; my first two years were at Vienna Elementary School,” Seaver said. “When I had the opportunity to work in Belle, I taught kindergarten for one year and then second grade for 17 years.”

She has also coached cheerleading throughout her teaching career.

“I have coached cheerleading for 23 years, working with the middle and high school cheerleaders, and have a connection with the kids as well,” she said. “I was able to coach when I was in college and doing student teaching, which is why I have been a coach longer than I have been a teacher.”

In 2019, Seaver realized that she wanted to take the next step in her educational career. She spoke with her husband Josh Seaver about going back to school for her master’s degree. Their oldest son, Jeb, is 19-years-old and enrolled at East Central Collect in Union. Their daughter, Addison, is a sophomore at Belle High School. The timing seemed right.

“I decided I would go back and get my master’s degree in administration,” Seaver said. “Dr. Basham and Mrs. (Vanessa) Feeler were a big inspirational push for me to get my administrative degree. With all the changes in elementary school, a new journey, and a new career path, I was looking at the big picture. How could I do more to help the school district with more than just a classroom of children?”

Then Tom Finley, a representative from the Grande Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz., came to the school district and persuaded Seaver to enroll for her master’s degree. The program took 18 months and was all online. She was certified under Missouri standards and credentials through the program.

“I knew that I did not want to leave our school district,” Seaver said. “I still have children in the district and this is my hometown. I thought I would wait to see what came available to help our school district and the community and when this opportunity arose, I thought it was time to put my hat in the ring for the position.”

The Maries R-2 Board of Education hired Seaver on March 28 for the Bland Middle School principal position out of six applicants — Seaver was the only one to apply from within the school district — with a 7-0 vote.

“We really believe she is going to do great,” Basham said. “I know she is super excited about getting parents and families engaged and that was important to the board that we have leadership engaging parents, students and the community.”

Seaver is excited about her new role in the district.

“I want to create a positive culture and climate for our students, teachers and staff,” she said. “In order to do this, we need to have a positive mindset, model positive behaviors from both students, teachers, and leadership positions. We put the students at the center of doing what’s best for kids every day. We have common goals and rules and follow our mission at Bland Middle School — Building eager, academically responsible students.”

Seaver added that her experience with the Bland Middle School has always been one of collaboration.

“I am excited to serve the community and work with families in our community for the students of Bland Middle School to be successful,” she said. “I look forward to continuing the learning and collaborating with teachers and staff at the Bland Middle School.”

Seaver will end her 20th year in education as an administrator where she feels her talents are needed to help reconnect BMS to the primary campus in Belle.

“I feel a hometown person can help make the connection because I want what’s best for kids and the best educators available for Bland students,” she said. “Dr. Basham and Mrs. Baldwin are working together to make the transition smooth. We are working on a time I can go to Bland for a couple of days to meet with Mrs. Baldwin in order to make this transition smooth.”

Seaver said she has several goals for BMS.

“Our goals moving forward with next school year will be looking at our MAP test scores, the programs that we use, and making sure that we are providing the best education possible for our students to be successful,” Seaver said.