LPS Makes Six Appointments to District Leadership Team

Ackart Named New EPiC Elementary Principal

At the Tuesday evening, April 18, 2023, Board of Education meeting, the Board appointed Ms. Jamie Ackart to be the new principal at EPiC Elementary.

Ms. Ackart has deep roots within the Liberty Public Schools family, serving as a teacher and administrator in LPS since 2007. She served as a kindergarten and 2nd grade teacher at Manor Hill Elementary from 2007-2014 before transitioning to be an LPS Innovation and Learning Coach, a role she held from 2014-2017. She then moved into administration as an assistant principal at Shoal Creek Elementary, beginning in 2017, and is currently serving in this role.

"We are thrilled to have Ms. Ackart remain in the LPS family, and are confident she will continue the excellent things happening at EPiC Elementary," said LPS Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker. "There was a tremendous applicant pool for this position, and our team felt she was the right person to build on the positive momentum taking place. She is an innovative leader, and one that has a proven track record of building great relationships with her students, staff, and families."

Ms. Ackart received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Emporia State University, her Master of Science in Education from Park University, and her Education Specialist in Educational Leadership from William Woods University.

"I am sincerely grateful to all of the amazing people who have poured into me over the years," Ackart said. "LPS has incredible students, families, and staff, and I've been fortunate enough to work with some of the very best. As I transition to EPiC, I'm excited to serve alongside such talented educators, and look forward to getting to know all of the sweet students and families!"

Ms. Ackart will succeed current EPiC Elementary Principal, Dr. Michelle Schmitz, who accepted the position of LPS Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability earlier this year. She will begin in her new role July 1, 2023.

Two Directors Appointed to Human Resources Department

At the Tuesday evening, April 18, 2023, Board of Education meeting, the Board appointed Dr. Leah Copeland to serve in the position of Director of Human Resources - Certificated Staff, and Ms. Taneka Brown to serve in the position of Director of Human Resources - Classified Staff.

Dr. Leah Copeland comes to LPS from the North Kansas City School District, where she has served as a building principal since 2008. She is currently the principal at Crestview Elementary. Prior to her service in North Kansas City Schools, she was the superintendent/lead principal of the Derrick Thomas Academy from 2002-2008.

"We are excited to have someone that possesses the talents and experiences of Dr. Copeland joining our LPS team," said LPS Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker. "She will be an integral part of our human resources team as we focus on attracting and retaining the most qualified and talented certificated staff."

Ms. Taneka Brown is a familiar name and face in LPS, as she has led the district's before and after school care program (Kid's Zone) for the past three years. Prior to her joining the LPS team, she was the Director of the Overland Park Campus and Education Program for the University of Saint Mary in Overland Park, Kansas. She also has three years experience serving as the Professional Development (HR) Manager for Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools.

"In just a few years with us, Ms. Brown has demonstrated high-quality leadership that includes a high-performance culture within her department," said LPS Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker. "We look forward to her transition into our human resources department, and I am confident she will be an incredible asset to our team."

Both Dr. Copeland and Ms. Brown will officially begin in their new roles with Liberty Public Schools on July 1, 2023.

Three Assistant Principals Appointed

Among the administrative appointments at the Tuesday evening, April 18, 2023, Board of Education meeting, the Board appointed three new assistant principals. They include: Ms. Sabrina Dotson, Early Childhood Center; Ms. Emily Griffin, Lillian Schumacher Elementary; and Ms. Megan Thompson, Kellybrook Elementary.

Ms. Sabrina Dotson has been a member of the LPS family since 2016, having served as a teacher in the Building Essential Skills Together Program at Liberty Oaks Elementary from 2016-2020. She currently is a District Behaviorist, a position she has held since August 2020. Ms. Dotson received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, her Masters degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and her Education Specialist from Northwest Missouri State University.

Ms. Emily Griffin is another familiar face to Liberty Public Schools, as she taught in LPS from 2014-2022, before beginning her leadership journey in the Lee's Summit School District this school year. She was a teacher at Alexander Doniphan Elementary, Discovery Middle School, and Liberty Middle School. She also served as an LPS Elementary and Middle School Summer School Site Director from 2018-2022. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Northwest Missouri State University, her Specialist of Education from Arkansas State University, and is currently working toward her Doctor of Education at Saint Louis University.

Ms. Megan Thompson has served as a teacher in LPS since 2017. She has been a third grade teacher at EPiC Elementary during this time, while also serving as an Administrative Intern the past four years. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Central Missouri, and expects to complete her Doctorate of Education from the University of Missouri - Columbia later this summer.

"We are thrilled to have these three individuals join our District Leadership Team," said LPS Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker. "With each of them having served in our system for many years, they have a strong familiarity with our culture, which should provide for a smooth transition for them in their new roles."