West Fannin Elementary School Assistant Principal Alison Danner has officially been named the school’s new principal following former principal, Lucas Roof’s, move to a district wide position.
Danner, who has been an educator at West Fannin since 2002, is excited for the change and looks forward to her new role.
“I am elated to have the opportunity to serve as principal at West Fannin Elementary,” she said. “Attending West Fannin as a student and serving in various positions over the last 18 years has allowed me to develop many meaningful relationships with staff, students and parents that make up the West Fannin family. In turn, I have developed a genuine passion for the future the students of Fannin County, especially those at West Fannin Elementary, as it is truly where my heart is.
“I was educated through the Fannin County School System and can think of no better way to express my gratitude to our system for the successes it has offered me in my life than by giving the same opportunity to the students of WFES.”
Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney explained that applications from qualified individuals who properly applied by the application deadline were reviewed and the top 1/3 of those applicants were interviewed by Deputy Superintendent Betsey Hyde, Assistant Superintendent Robert Ensley and himself.
West Fannin’s School Governance Team then met with the three finalists from interviews made a final recommendation to Gwatney after their meeting.
Following an executive session, Gwatney recommended Danner to the Fannin County Board of Education during a called meeting Tuesday, January 7, who then unanimously approved her.
“Mrs. Danner has a long history with West Fannin,” Gwatney said. “She was a student there, when it was a junior high, and she has been a teacher and the assistant principal of the school. Mrs. Danner has proven herself as both a professional and a leader. I am proud of her, and I know that she will work well with the WFES community to accomplish many great things there.”