University City High School Names New Principal

UNIVERSITY CITY, MO — University City High School will have a new principal this month when Michael Peoples takes over for Susan Hill, who school officials say has taken on a new assignment working to improve college and career-readiness for students.

Peoples will work with Hill over the next few weeks to prepare for graduation and plan for summer and fall classes.

“We are excited to bring Michael to this key position at the high school and are looking forward to introducing him to our school family and community," said superintendent of schools Sharonica Hardin-Bartley. "We believe that Michael’s experience and work with instructional and improvement strategies will accelerate efforts presently underway to transform the educational experience and reinforce a strong culture of personal responsibility and community at University City High School.”

Peoples has more than four years of experience as a high school administrator and a decade as a teacher. He graduated from the University of Missouri — Rolla with a bachelor's degree in Engineering Management, and later earned mathematics and principal certifications as well as a master's degree in School Administration and Teaching from Lindenwood University. Peoples is currently working toward a doctorate at Saint Louis University.

Before becoming a teacher, Peoples worked for the Alco Controls Division of Emerson Electric, International Business Machines Corporation, and Saturn Corporation. He served as an adjunct math instructor at Florissant Valley Community College and taught algebra and geometry at Pattonville High School in Maryland Heights. He has also been an assistant coach for football and track and field.

When Peoples became part of Hazelwood East's administration in 2012, he oversaw the school summer program and was responsible for training math teachers and instructional coaches in the use of targeted teaching strategies and formative assessment tools, according to a press release.

“My personal philosophy is geared toward continuous improvement of all things around you and that’s particularly important when your job is in education," Peoples said. “I am excited for the opportunity to partner with the University City community and hear their thoughts on what our school and students need.”

Peoples added that he intends to pay less attention to traditional hierarchy and to honor everyone's voice.

“Only through genuine collaboration does change occur," he said. "Student success is positively impacted through building relationships and establishing structures. As an example, I am wholly committed to the use of Restorative Practices and doing more ‘with’ students as opposed to ‘for’ them. In addition, I look forward to working with the team to deliver high-quality instructional practices to all students.”

The UCHS PTO will hold a reception May 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the high school's Pruitt Library for parents and students to meet the new principal. Refreshments will be served.

Photo courtesy of University City School District