The Ladue Schools Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments, effective July 1, 2024, at its meeting on April 10:

• Tom Hadfield, Assistant Principal for Conway Elementary School
• Dr. Sarah Sides, Assistant Principal for Reed Elementary School
• Taylor Koenig, Assistant Principal for Spoede Elementary School
• Levi Rutherford, Assistant Principal for the Fifth Grade Center

Tom Hadfield’s educational career spans 22 years and four school districts. Currently, he is the assistant principal at Sappington Elementary School in the Lindbergh School District. Before that, Hadfield served in Ladue Schools at Reed Elementary and Fifth Grade Center for 19 years, where he was recognized with a 2023 Excellence in Education and a Top Teacher Award in 2010. Hadfield has extensive training in building leadership, character education, curriculum and instruction, restorative practices, and safety. In addition, he has served as the professional learning communities chair. Hadfield earned his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri. On Friday, April 12, he will defend his dissertation to complete a Doctor of Education at Saint Louis University. Hadfield will join Principal Dr. Thomas Devitt, who also will be in his first year at Conway Elementary to begin the 2024-25 school year.

Dr. Sarah Sides has nearly 17 years of educational experience. Her career began as a third-grade teacher and was followed by roles as both an English as a second language teacher and an administrator. Currently, she is an assistant principal at Becky-David Elementary School in the Francis Howell School District. Dr. Sides is a dedicated educator with excellent leadership skills. She cultivates trusting and productive relationships with staff and parents to ensure learning for all students. As a full-time administrator, Dr. Sides oversees multiple grade levels and content areas, provides instructional feedback, works in professional learning communities, and assists in building the master schedule for her school. Dr. Sides has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri, a Master of Arts in Education Administration from Lindenwood University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Maryville University.

Taylor Koenig began her teaching career as a second-grade teacher nearly eight years ago and quickly rose to the ranks as a Summer Administrative Intern in the Webster Groves School District. Her leadership has also taken her to the Rockwood School District as an Administrative Intern. Most recently, Koenig served as an Administrative Intern in the Pattonville School District. Her leadership includes being a part of the building leadership team, Trauma-Informed Care Team, Social Studies Curriculum Committee, co-leading the K-5 Rock Your School initiative, and fostering strong relationships with students, families, staff, and community members to support learning. Koenig earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Maryville University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Maryville.

Levi Rutherford has taught at the Ladue Fifth Grade Center since 2021. During the summers, he worked as an auditory/visual teacher at the Churchhill Center and School in Town and Country. Rutherford began his educational career in 2020 as a fourth-grade teacher at Orchard Farm Elementary School, where he provided daily instruction and actively participated in the grade-level professional learning community and Teach Students to Lead Action committee. In his early experience, he worked at Southeast Missouri State University managing a team of resident assistants overseeing building expenditures, budgets, and facilities. Rutherford is a high-achieving leader with keen problem-solving experience implementing restorative practices, leading professional development, and managing teams. Rutherford's commitment to education is evident in his extensive academic qualifications, which include dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Recreation and Parks Administration and Elementary Education, and master's degrees in Public Administration and Educational Leadership. He holds several certifications: Principal K-12, Elementary 1-6, Middle School Language Arts 5-9, and is an Apple Certified Teacher. He is pursuing a Wilson Reading System certification, highlighting his dedication to continuous professional growth and development.

Dr. La'Kendra Garrett, who has served as the assistant principal for both Reed Elementary and Old Bonhomme Elementary Schools for the last three years, will now be working exclusively with Dr. Stephanie Taggert and the Old Bonhomme School community beginning in the 2024-25 school year.