South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Cochran named new Lindbergh High principal

Eric Cochran
Eric Cochran

A Lindbergh veteran, nationally recognized educator and 2011 finalist for Missouri Teacher of the Year has been selected to be the next principal of Lindbergh High School.

The Lindbergh Board of Education voted Thursday night to hire Eric Cochran for the high school’s top position.

Cochran has served in administration and teaching roles in Lindbergh for the past 17 years. He currently serves as director of curriculum and student programs, where he oversees development and revision of high school curricula, coordinates district safety and security programs and analyzes student test data districtwide, among various other responsibilities.

“Eric is an instructional leader whose work at Lindbergh High School and in an administrative role has directly contributed to LHS’ top ranking among Missouri high schools for academic achievement,” Superintendent Jim Simpson stated in a news release. “He is the most qualified leader we have. In addition to being a highly skilled, well-respected member of the Lindbergh community. Eric will be able to immediately begin working with teachers, staff and students to continue achieving the high school’s strong tradition of academic excellence.”

Cochran received numerous awards and recognitions during his 14 years as a social studies teacher and seven years as LHS Social Studies Department Chair. The most prestigious honors include Lindbergh Teacher of the Year, Missouri Teacher of the Year finalist and Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award in 2011. Cochran also received seven LHS National Merit Inspirational Teacher awards, was named Lindbergh National Honor Society Teacher of the Year and was nominated for the Gilder Lehrman American History Teacher of the Year.

“I am grateful to have spent my entire career working with outstanding Lindbergh teachers, administrators, parents and students in a district that has now become a destination for all of these groups,” Cochran stated in the release. “Serving as LHS principal is an incredible opportunity. I am honored and proud to be collaborating with some of the best educators in the state, and working with students and families as we look forward to even more success as a school and a district.”

Cochran earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Washington University and his master’s degree in history at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He will complete his doctor of education degree in education leadership from Maryville University this April.

Lindbergh High School is consistently recognized as a top high school by Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report and the Washington Post. Current Principal Andy Croley announced his resignation in February. He will work with Cochran for the remainder of the school year to ensure a smooth transition, according to the release.