The 2025-2026 school year is coming to a close, which means South County school districts are hiring new staff for the fall semester. These new administrators will step into their positions on July 1. Here is a roundup of a few recent hirings.
Affton School District
Eric Turner has been hired as the new principal for Affton High School next school year. Turner has served as the principal of Washington High School in Washington, Missouri, since 2023. He was also previously an assistant principal at Lindbergh High School for six years.
Before stepping into administration, Turner taught math at both middle and high school levels. He holds a Bachelor of Science in math education from Culver-Stockton College, as well as masters’ degrees from both Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Southwest Baptist University. Turner also has a doctorate in educational leadership from Maryville University.
Mehlville School District
The Mehlville School District has hired Abby Makowsky to serve as the new principal of Mehlville High School. She currently serves as an assistant principal at Mehlville High School — a position she has held since 2023.
Makowsky previously taught social studies and government at MHS, as well as at Capital City High School in Jefferson City, Missouri. She holds degrees from William Woods University and the University of Missouri.
Tom Harper has been hired as the new Director of Athletics and Activities for Mehlville High School in the coming school year. He has spent 27 years as an English Language Arts teacher at the high school, and 17 years as the head boys soccer coach.
Harper will replace Tim Champion, who will retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
“I am truly honored to step into this new role at Mehlville High School, especially as an alumnus of this district,” Harper said. “After 27 years of teaching and coaching, my passion for supporting our students’ growth both on the field and in their extracurricular pursuits has only grown stronger.”
Phil Jacquot has been hired to to serve as the new principal of Forder Elementary School next school year. Jacquot is an Oakville High School alumnus, so this will be his return to the district.
Jacquot currently holds the role of assistant principal at Hillsboro Intermediate School in the Hillsboro R-3 School District. He has also served in assistant and summer school principal positions at Hillsboro Elementary School. Prior to that, he was a special education teacher.
Jacquot holds a Bachelor of Arts in education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Mississippi.
“I am excited to step into the role of principal at Forder Elementary School,” Jacquot said. “I grew up in the Mehlville School District, so this is a meaningful opportunity to give back to the district that has given so much to my family. I look forward to getting to know the students, staff and families and to continuing the great work already happening at Forder.”
Julie Dooley has been hired to serve as the new principal of Wohlwend Elementary School next school year. Dooley currently serves as the interim principal at Forder Elementary — the position that Jacquot will step into in July. Prior to that role, Dooley was the assistant principal at Bierbaum Elementary School.
Dooley holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis; she also holds two master’s degrees — one from Lindenwood University and the other from Southwest Baptist University. She will replace Dave Meschke, who is retiring at the end of the year.
Anna McGuire has been hired to serve as an assistant principal at Mehlville High School. McGuire is currently an instructional innovation and data privacy specialist for the district — a position she’s held since 2020. Prior to that role, she was a second grade teacher.
McGuire holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, as well as a Master of Arts in school administration from Lindenwood University. She will replace Makowsky.
Ashleigh Hussey has been hired as the Mehlville Parents as Teachers and Mehlville Early Childhood Coordinator. She currently serves as the parent educator for Mehlville Parents as Teachers — a position she’s held for the last four years.
Hussey will replace Erin Amador, who will transfer to the Director of Early Childhood position.
Lindbergh Schools
Melissa Nussbaum has been hired as the Onsite Educator for the Lindbergh Farmers’ Club, an agricultural learning center that is expected to open in fall 2027. This is a brand new role. Nussbaum has 19 years of educational experience and currently serves as an instructional design coach at Truman Middle School.
According to Lindbergh Schools, “In this new role, Nussbaum will design lesson plans and organize several farm trips for every grade throughout the year. She’ll help give students hands-on experience with how a modern farm works, from the science of growing crops and new farming technology to the business side of running a farm and its impact on our environment and culture.”
