PCSD32
PERRYVILLE – Abbey Harris has returned to Perry County School District 32 as the new assistant principal at Perryville Primary Center. She joins Principal Emily Koenig to lead the building of 450 students and 70 staff members. She moves into the position vacated by Lacey Amschler, who returns to the classroom as a fourth-grade teacher at Perryville Elementary School.
Ms. Harris earned a bachelor of science degree in education with an emphasis in English from Missouri State University, and master’s degree in educational leadership from William Woods University. Ms. Harris also holds a graduate certificate in gifted education from Missouri State University. Her first teaching job was at Perryville High School, where she taught English from 2015-2018. She also coached the PHS Cheer Team.
“From the first moment, this school district felt like my home,” she said. “I just fell in love with the school and community! I worked with a great department and enjoyed the collaborative environment at PHS. This district is known for its dedication to student success, and in my experience, it is unmatched. The district is centered on student success, not just academically, but also in teaching soft skills and instilling life lessons for success after high school.”
Ms. Harris, who is from Farmington, left the district in 2018 to move closer to home while pregnant with twins. She taught at North County from 2018 to 2024. “I taught high school English and coached cheerleading for 3 years, then transitioned into gifted education for grades 2-6. As the gifted program coordinator, I was able to expand the program down to first grade and throughout the high school.”
While at North County, Ms. Harris kept her connection to District 32. “I completed a lot of my observation hours in Perryville for my master’s degree,” she said. “My goal has always been to come back to the district when I could. I kept in contact with my colleagues, and attended as many of the athletic and special events that I could.
“Perryville is different from other communities,” she said. “It’s unique in that people accept you right away, so you feel like part of the community from Day 1. The small town pride is palpable, but it goes further than that. I was here during the recovery from the 2017 tornado, and I saw just how caring our students, staff, and community are. Everyone worked together to lift one another through that difficult time. That’s what stands out about Perryville – the people support one another in the best of times and the worst of times. I’m so excited to be back and a part of this amazing community!”
Ms. Harris said she can’t wait to meet her students and staff members. “I’m ready to form those relationships that allow me to best support students and staff,” she said. “I’m ready to grow with our staff, learn new things, and challenge myself to grow professionally. I already have an amazing relationship with Mrs. Koenig, as she was my direct supervisor at PHS. She has been one of my favorite building leaders to work with over the years. One of her greatest strengths is that she believes in the abilities of her staff and encourages them to believe in themselves by recognizing their own strengths.
Mrs. Koenig, relationship amazing, direct supervisor at PHS. One of her biggest strengths is believing in them, and encouraging them to believe in themselves by recognizing their own strengths. I am looking forward to learning from her and helping her encourage the staff and students at PPC.”
Ms. Harris and her husband, Caleb, have three children – Avery is 8, and her twins, Briar and Grayson, are 5. “My oldest child grew up in the Old Senior High cheer gym,” she laughed. “She went to every football game, basketball game, and cheer practice from the time she was born until she was two years old. “I’m so excited to reintegrate my family into the community and share our Pirate pride with them!”