The Patrick County School Board voted unanimously April 14 to promote Shannon Brown, current principal at Stuart Elementary School, to the position of instructional coordinator in the central office, according to a news release from Dr. William Sroufe, division superintendent.
The board also voted unanimously to promote Marcie Murphy to the position of principal at Stuart Elementary School.
Brown joins the school board office after the retirement of a central office administrator and a realignment of duties to continue to support the instructional program, Sroufe said.
Brown earned a bachelor of science degree in early and middle education from Radford University, a master’s degree in instructional technology from Fort Hays State University, and an educational leadership endorsement from James Madison University.
She taught 19 years in Patrick County public schools, served as testing coordinator and director of guidance at Patrick County High School, and has been principal of Hardin Reynolds Memorial School and Stuart Elementary School.
Brown is married to Garry Brown and has two sons, Tucker, a student at Ferrum College, and Parker, a student at PCHS.
Murphy is an educator with 15 years of “vast experience,” Sroufe said in the news release. She began her career in education with Henry County public schools as a special education (SPED) teacher at the secondary level before transferring to the elementary level.
After moving to Belton, Texas, Murphy worked for six years as a first grade teacher at Sparta Elementary School.
“Her experiences in the classroom compelled her to seek certification in educational administration,” Sroufe said. She served two years as assistant principal at Richard W. Cavazos Elementary School in Nolanville, Texas.
In July of 2016, Murphy returned to Virginia and is currently the assistant principal at SES.
She is licensed in emotional disturbances of children in grades K-12, and in intellectual disabilities and specific learning disabilities for grades K-12. She is also licensed in early/primary education preK-12, special education general curriculum, visual education preK-12; and administration and supervision for pre-K-12.
Murphy and her husband, Travis, have two children, Kerrigan, 14, and Hagen, 11.
“I am excited and honored to be the principal at Stuart Elementary for the upcoming year,” Murphy said. “I’ve spent the last three years working as an assistant principal and preparing for the next step in my educational career. I look forward to continue working with the faculty and staff at Stuart Elementary to serve the children and their families.”
