Dr. Renee A. Headen is the new principal of Monrovia Elementary School. (CONTRIBUTED)

MONROVIA – Madison County Board of Education has promoted Dr. Renee A. Headen to principal of Monrovia Elementary School.

“I am extremely proud to be a part of Monrovia Elementary School. Monrovia is a school that has exemplified such academic and cultural excellence,” Headen said.

Monrovia’s success “is a direct result of an established, respectful partnership between the school staff and parents. Communication is the key,” Headen said. She has committed to sustain student success by working closely with Monrovia faculty, staff and stakeholders.

Headen’s teaching career begin in Talladega, her hometown. For Huntsville City Schools, she taught first-, third- and fourth-graders at Montview and second- and fifth-graders at Highlands elementary schools.

At Ridgecrest Elementary School, Headen served as a curriculum specialist. She was assistant principal at Challenger and Weatherly Heights elementary schools, along with interim principal at Weatherly Heights.

With her new position, Headen now will work with a different school system. “I’ll spend the first days on the job learning the policies and procedures of Madison County Schools,” she said.

She has always wanted to be an educator. “As an administrator, I am able to support more students in Madison County. My past experiences in administration lead me to apply for (this position). I truly enjoy working with and for children,” Headen said.

At the University of Alabama, Headen earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a doctorate’s degree in educational administration. At Alabama A&M University, she received A certification in education, certification in administration and supervision and education specialist distinction.

Headen has extensive training in reading and math programs, including Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI), DIBELS, Voyager, Star Enterprise, Alabama Reading and Math Assessment (ARMT) and Standard Achievement Test (SAT10).

Her husband Dr. E. Quinn Headen works as an assistant principal for Madison County Schools. “I am a proud mother of one son, E. Quinn Headen II, 13, who is in the eighth grade, and one daughter, Ashley Rose Headen, 11, in sixth grade,” Renee Headen said.

Headen replaces former principal Cheryl Davis who retired.