Brett Mitchell is new Dora superintendent, and Elizabeth Martin hired as principal
Brett Mitchell, above, has been hired as the 2024-25 Dora School superintendent, and Elizabeth Martin, below, has been hired to serve as the fifth through twelfth grade principal this year.
School is back in session this week for all of Ozark County’s five school districts, and at Dora, the administration team has changed for the upcoming school year with two familiar faces transitioning into new roles.
Longtime principal Brett Mitchell has been hired to fill the superintendent’s position, occupied for the last several years by Allen Woods.
Elizabeth Martin, who has taught high school social studies at Dora for the last seven years, will shift into an administrator’s role, serving as the fifth through twelfth grade principal this year. Sherry Ross continues this year as kindergarten through fourth grade principal.
Superintendent Brett Mitchell
Mitchell is entering his 21st year in the education field.
“I’m extremely excited to start my new position and help our school system to continue moving forward in the educational process,” he said.
He was born and raised in Ava, where he attended all grades and graduated from high school. He attended Evangel University in Springfield where he played college football and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in physical education. He then earned his master's degree and specialist degree from William Woods University. He is currently working toward a doctorate degree, also from William Woods.
He taught at Willard High School, West Plains High School, Ava High School, Lutie High School and finally Dora, where he’s been for the last several years. He taught physical education and coached for the first nine years of his career and has served as a principal the last 11 years.
He and wife Amanda live in Dora with their two daughters, both enrolled at Dora School: Montgomery, a freshman, and Kinsen, a fifth grader. The couple also has two older daughters: Samantha Jackson, who has two daughters of her own that attend Dora school, Brylee and Rissa; and another daughter, Sydney Jackson, who lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, and is currently enrolled in law school.
Principal Elizabeth Martin
Elizabeth Martin, who has also been employed at Dora School for several years, says she is looking forward to her new role at the district.
“I am sincerely honored to serve as the principal of Dora School for grades five through 12 this year. It fills me with excitement to collaborate with our students, staff and families, as we work together to guide our students toward a successful and promising future,” she said.
Martin graduated from Dixon High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Missouri State University in Springfield. She also holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University.
With several years of experience in the education field, Martin began her teaching career in fifth grade at Springfield Public Schools before transitioning to Dora, where she has spent the last seven years teaching high school social studies.
“Last year, I had the privilege of serving as the curriculum director and instructional coach at Dora, an experience that has been incredibly rewarding,” she said. “I am happily married to Terry Martin, and we are the proud parents of four wonderful children who add so much joy to our lives! We value our time with family and feel truly blessed to live in such a beautiful community.”