With Eugene Field recently honored among the state’s top elementary schools, it should come as no surprise that the building is being led by a regional standout.
Kristen Spain was named the 2026 Missouri Exemplary New Principal for the Southeast District of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals alongside 10 emerging education leaders across the state on Monday, March 2, at the organization’s annual Leadership Conference in Osage Beach.
“My reasons for nominating [Mrs. Spain] are largely due to her incredible enthusiasm and respect for the profession,” stated MAESP President Elect Debbie Lands, administrator of the Kelso School District. “…She is eager to learn, willing to be coached, and is one of the most humble young leaders I have met. I can’t wait to see all that she accomplishes.”
Eugene Field was honored last month as one of the state’s eight Gold Star Schools through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for performing at high levels while serving a significant proportion of disadvantaged students. In 2020, the elementary school was named a Distinguished School under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for closing the achievement gap between student groups.
“This recognition isn’t just about me,” Spain commented. “It reflects the work of our entire Eugene Field Elementary School staff, our students and our community.”
Spain’s career with Poplar Bluff Schools began in 2008 as a second grade teacher at Oak Grove, before transferring to Eugene Field in 2012, the year she earned a master’s in elementary administration from William Woods University in Fulton. She was a member of the pilot team that ushered in the Leader in Me initiative, the cultural framework under which the elementary has been certified as a Lighthouse School for the past decade.
“Leaders don’t get the luxury of picking their successors, so there’s always a level of concern, not just for the systems that were built, but for the staff that you advocated for,” explained Jennifer Taylor, Spain’s predecessor. “With Kristen, that is one stressor I did not have.
If anything, I get to relish in the fact that ‘I told you so,’” Taylor continued, half-jokingly. Taylor, who advanced as R-I assistant superintendent of personnel last school year, was named a Missouri Distinguished Principal honoree by MAESP during her tenure at Eugene Field.
Having served as an interventionist before beginning her principalship in 2024/25, Spain was working toward her second graduate degree in reading literacy from Missouri State University in Springfield before answering the call to lead. She said she believes education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.
“One of the strongest indicators of doing so is creating literate students and instilling a genuine love of reading,” Spain stated. “Literacy opens doors. When students can read confidently and think critically, their opportunities expand exponentially.”
At the beginning of this school year, Spain joined a group of administrators across the district to participate in a three-day School Safety Academy in Cape Girardeau hosted by the Missouri School Boards’ Association’s Center for Education Safety. “Being a part of this academy allows me to ensure we are proactive, informed and continually strengthening our practices so families can feel confident in their child’s school, no matter which campus they attend,” she reflected.
Spain’s regional award follows on the heels of Dr. Rondi Vaughn, who was named 2023 Exemplary New Principal at Lake Road before being promoted to R-I assistant superintendent of curriculum. Criteria established for the achievement include demonstrating a clear commitment to building excellence within the school community; developing programs designed to meet the needs of all students; and establishing firm ties to parents and the community.
“I am deeply honored to represent the Poplar Bluff School District and the Southeast Missouri region as an Exemplary New Principal, and I look forward to living up to that title,” Spain said. “Throughout my career in Poplar Bluff, I’ve been fortunate to learn from some of the very best in education, and their mentorship has shaped me in countless ways.”
The recognition program was established in 1984 for principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate. “Congrats for being recognized as the best Missouri school leaders,” wrote MAESP Executive Director Dr. J. Anderson in an award letter that Spain received in January.
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Cutline: Eugene Field Elementary School Principal Kristen Spain earned a regional award as an outstanding early career principal this week in Osage Beach.