Babler Elementary’s Dr. Michelle Fitzsimmons Earns Outstanding Assistant Principal Award

Babler Elementary Assistant Principal Dr. Michelle Fitzsimmons has been named the St. Louis Suburban Elementary Principals Association (SLSEPA) 2024-2025 Outstanding Assistant Principal.

SLSEPA President and Wild Horse Elementary Principal Dr. Shawn Riley surprised Fitzsimmons with the good news in front of family and cheering students and staff members on Dec. 17.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be recognized as the Outstanding Assistant Principal for the St. Louis region,” Fitzsimmons said. “I love my job because of the incredible staff, students and community I work alongside every day. Every moment is a new adventure, and I am grateful to serve in a role that allows me to make a difference for children. I look forward to continuing this work at Babler to ensure all students realize their potential.”

Fitzsimmons is in her second year as the assistant principal at Babler. Before coming to Babler, she was the administrative intern at Fairway Elementary. Prior to becoming an administrator, Fitzsimmons was a Rockwood data analyst for five years and a classroom teacher at Eureka and Geggie elementary schools for a combined seven years.

“Michelle is loved and respected by the students, staff and families at Babler,” said Principal Dr. Andrea Lockwood, who nominated Fitzsimmons for the award. “She has earned this by working tirelessly to support teachers by helping them understand their classroom or student data, assisting them with instructional decisions, classroom management brainstorming ideas or assistance with students.”

SLSEPA Outstanding Assistant Principal recognition criteria include:

• Being a practicing assistant principal in their second or greater year of employment as an assistant principal. 
• Serving as an active principal of a school in which a commitment to excellence is evident.
• Making a measurable contribution to the school district in which they serve.
• Demonstrating strong educational leadership by setting high expectations for school staff and students.
• Maintaining an orderly, purposeful learning environment.

"Our SLSEPA organization works tirelessly to recognize administrators for the value they bring to their school communities and the St. Louis area,” Riley shared. “Dr. Fitzsimmons has made a significant impact on Babler. Her leadership has fostered a positive learning environment and empowered students to succeed. We're thrilled to recognize her exceptional work.”

Rockwood Assistant Superintendent for Supervision of Elementary Education Dr. Paul Godwin and Fairway Principal Dr. Lorinda Krey were at Babler to help celebrate Fitzsimmons’ achievement. 

"We are so proud to have Michelle represent the organization, Babler Elementary and the Rockwood School District," Godwin said. "Michelle is a fantastic example of what an educational leader should be. She is passionate about ensuring all students thrive as well as dedicated to supporting teachers to be the best they can be for the students at Babler."

Krey recalled fond memories of her collaboration with Fitzsimmons.

"I am incredibly proud of Dr. Fitzsimmons," Krey said. "I couldn't have been more fortunate to have been her teammate for five years at Fairway as our assistant principal. She is the perfect combination of everything an administrator should be: dedicated, compassionate, empathetic, loves everyone and wants only the very best for every child in this district. It's special when a principal has the opportunity to learn so much from their assistant and I will never be able to thank her enough for those amazing years together."

Fitzsimmons will be recognized at the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP) Leadership Conference in March 2025.