Royal Heights special education teacher named Diamond elementary principal

The Diamond R-4 Board of Education hired Sara Jackson, a special education teacher at Royal Heights Elementary in Joplin as elementary principal.

Jackson will replace current principal Lisa Northrup, who will leave at the end of the current school year to become principal at Steadley Elementary in Carthage. Northrup has been princpal since 2018.

Jackson is a 2009 graduate of Neosho High School, has an associate of arts in teaching from Crowder College, a bachelor's degree in education from Missouri Southern State University and a masters in education administration from Missouri State.

In a post on the Diamond R-4 Facebook page, Jackson said, "I am beyond excited to join the amazing team in Diamond. I am looking forward to building positive relationships with all staff, students, families, and community stakeholders. I am eager to be part of the change and watch the growth and development of all Wildcats!"