District Announces New Kennerly Principal
March 13, 2019
Former Truman Elementary School educator DeAndre Thomas will return home to Lindbergh as the newest principal of Kennerly Elementary School, effective July 1. The Lindbergh Schools Board of Education approved his hire on March 12.
Thomas currently serves as principal of Mallinckrodt Academy of Gifted Instruction in St. Louis Public Schools, where he has held the lead administrative position since 2015 and served as assistant principal in 2014-15. In his position, Thomas has led the school’s development and expansion of project based learning, an instructional tool that combines authentic learning experiences with high academic standards. In 2017-18, Mallinckrodt Academy was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence -- the highest national academic honor a school can receive. Thomas has served as an assistant principal prior to his time at Mallinckrodt since 2007.
Thomas taught fourth and fifth grade at Truman Elementary School from 1998-2007, in addition to overseeing Lindbergh’s elementary summer school program at Sappington and Truman for two years and coordinating After School Instruction for students from 2004-07. He, his wife, and his four children have been members of the Lindbergh community for 19 years.
“Kennerly has a long history of excellent character development, dedicated staff members, and a wonderful parent-teacher group,” Thomas said. “I am looking forward to continuing that tradition and being a valued member of the district.”
Thomas earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Missouri State University and his Master’s in Education Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He will earn his Education Specialist in Education Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis later this year.
Thomas will replace Kennerly Principal Dr. Todd Morgan, who is retiring at the end of this school year.