Washington Elementary School has a new principal this school year.
Kendra Parker was hired by the Mount Vernon School Board Monday, June 9.
Superintendent Matthew Leeman said there were 31 applicants for the open position, and the district had more intense interviews with six of those candidates, including a combination of staff and board members.
“I was very impressed with the candidates we had, and thought the interview process was a very insightful procedure,” said board president Rick Elliott.
Parker has most recently served as a facilitator at College Community School District. There, she led initiatives in social-emotional behavioral health (SEBH), managed school-wide attendance improvement efforts, supported special education programming, and helped drive meaningful change through data-driven, student-centered practices. Her leadership played a critical role in reducing chronic absenteeism and strengthening systems of support for diverse learners.
Parker said that she has worked with many colleagues who are residents of Mount Vernon and gotten to know and appreciate the community, including invites to events like Chalk the Walk, Magical Night and Fuel Coffee.
“Every time I visited, I was struck by how warm, welcoming, and kind everyone was,” Parker said. “Annie Hawker, a Mount Vernon resident, has always spoken so highly of the town and the deep sense of connection she feels there.
“When I saw the opening for the principal position at Washington Elementary, it immediately stood out to me. I knew this was an opportunity not only to lead in a school with strong values but also to be part of a truly special community. I’m excited about the chance to contribute to a district that values relationships, collaboration, and student-centered learning.”
Parker and her husband, Robert, and daughter, Mira, and their two beloved cats, Biscuit and Peter, live in a 103-year-old home. Robert plays as a trombonist with Orchestra Iowa, Quad City Symphony and the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. He’s also a professor of low brass at Kirkwood Community College and Drake University.
Mira will begin first grade at Washington Elementary school this fall.
Throughout her career, Parker has been dedicated to fostering inclusive, collaborative school cultures. Her expertise includes building multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), coaching staff in classroom management and trauma-informed practices, and facilitating professional development aligned with strategic improvement goals. She also brings experience as a Title IX investigator, IEP LEA representative, and SEBH/PBIS team leader. In recognition of her impact, Parker was honored with a district innovation award and has been a frequent presenter for educational workshops and university coursework.
Parker holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Iowa and a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In addition to her formal credentials, she holds numerous certifications in classroom management, crisis intervention, and teacher-child interaction training.
Parker is known for her commitment to authentic relationships, her strong organizational skills, and her passion for ensuring that every student feels a sense of belonging. She shares the district’s core values and is excited to collaborate with staff, students, and families at Washington Elementary to continue building a thriving school community.