The Meramec Valley R-III School Board on March 16, 2022, voted to appoint Dr. Ketina Armstrong to the role of Assistant Superintendent for the 2022-23 school year. Dr. Armstrong is filling the role formerly held by Dr. Carrie Schwierjohn, who was named as superintendent by the board of education in November of 2021. Schwierjohn shared, “Dr. Armstrong is truly dedicated to the students and staff of Meramec Valley. Her involvement, support, and communication of our many innovative programs and district achievements has been invaluable. I look forward to her continued leadership and collaboration on our administrative team.”
Armstrong currently serves as the district’s Communication Director which began in 2019. She will continue to oversee the district’s communications while taking on her new role of Assistant Superintendent, as part of a restructure of the District’s administrative offices. Armstrong is a Pacific High School alumna and has been an employee of the district for 27 years. Leading up to her role as Assistant Superintendent, Armstrong brings an extensive background in education, including alternative programs, early-childhood, elementary, and middle school education, SACC director, Nike Elementary Principal, Riverbend Principal, and Zitzman Principal.
During her time at MVR-III, Armstrong has guided schools to earn both state and national awards, while also working to secure over $100,000 worth of grant funding through the years. Dr. Armstrong shared, “Throughout my years at Meramec Valley, I have been honored to serve the students, staff, and parents of this community. I believe my experiences will support the district’s Reimagine Campaign while working to secure learning pathways that will ultimately lead to high school student interns working in various businesses in our community. Additionally, I will work to support the district’s early childhood and elementary programs to harness creativity and lifelong learners in our classrooms. I truly believe the district’s teachers and administrators are doing amazing work to make a difference for kids. I look forward to supporting the district in this new role.”
Dr. Armstrong completed her B.S. degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Central Methodist University in 1999. She earned her Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Southwest Baptist University in 2005. Her final degrees were obtained from Missouri Baptist University with a Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and her doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2021.
In addition, Armstrong serves on several nonprofit boards to benefit the community, such as the Pacific Area Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Partnership, MVR-III Bridge Foundation, and the MVR-III Safety Net. Mr. Trower, board of education president reflected, “MVR3’s Board of Education is excited for what the future holds for our district with the addition of Dr. Armstrong to our leadership team. Dr. Armstrong’s passion for the district is endless and we look forward to the partnership and teamwork she will bring to the position to help continue making MVR3 a district of choice.”