O’Neal named new Marion Elementary Principal

O’Neal named new Marion Elementary Principal

MMS assistant to take over for 2016- 17 school year

A new, but familiar, face will be at the helm of Marion Elementary School for the 2016-17 school year.

Adam O’Neal, assistant principal at Marion Middle School, has been selected for the top job at MES effective July 1. Current principal Natalie Rooney is leaving the district for a new position in another state.

O’Neal sees MES only good things at MES.

“Marion Elementary School has a wonderful faculty. I’ve heard all over town about the things going on at MES and the great teachers there,” O’Neal said.

Completing his third year with the Marion School District, O’Neal has been an educator for more than nine years, beginning at College Hill Elementary School in Texarkana where he was the elementary physical education teacher. At the same time, O’Neal pulled double duty as the junior girls’ basketball and track coach and senior high tennis coach at Texarkana High School. Before arriving in Marion, O’Neal was an elementary school physical education teacher and junior high basketball coach and senior high girls’ softball coach at Forrest City.

O’Neal sees the transition from middle to elementary school with more similarities than differences.

“Kids are still kids but you just have to address their needs appropriately. No matter what age, kids still need to know that you care about them and want to see them succeed,” O’Neal said. “The only challenge that I foresee would be starting something new and covering unfamiliar territory however I look forward to building new and positive relationships with the staff.”

O’Neal earned his BS in Education from Arkansas State University and his MS South Arkansas College at Magnolia. He and his wife, Megan, have been married eight years. She is the agency manager of St. Francis County Farm Bureau.

“I love it here (at MMS) and it will be bittersweet to leave. I love the kids and the staff,” he said. “Marion Elementary is a wonderful facility and I’ve heard around town about the great teachers and staff at MES. It is a good opportunity and a good fit.”

By Mike Douglas Marion School District