Board of Education Approves Hire of Dr. Michelle Fitzsimmons as Babler Principal

The Rockwood Board of Education has approved the hiring of Dr. Michelle Fitzsimmons as the next principal at Babler Elementary, beginning July 1. She replaces Dr. Andrea Lockwood, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

Currently, Fitzsimmons is the assistant principal at Babler Elementary, a position she has held for the past two years. Prior to that, she was the administrative intern for five years at Fairway Elementary after having served for five years as a data analyst for Rockwood. Fitzsimmons started her teaching career in Rockwood in fourth and fifth grades at Eureka and Geggie elementary schools from 2006 to 2013. She has served on multiple school and district committees and worked as a Summer Academy principal and assistant principal. She has participated in Rockwood’s program for aspiring administrators and the Missouri Leadership Development System. 

Fitzsimmons earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Southeast Missouri State, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Southwest Baptist University and both her Specialist in Educational Leadership and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from William Woods University. 

“I am so extremely grateful and honored to step into the role of principal at Babler Elementary,” said Fitzsimmons. “Babler is an outstanding community steeped in wonderful traditions. I look forward to continuing to work alongside our dedicated students, staff and families to do whatever it takes to ensure our students and community thrive.”

Fitzsimmons lives with her husband, Sean, and their three sons in Eureka.