The Uintah School District is pleased to announce that Emily Arnold has been named as the new principal for Lapoint Elementary School pending approval by the Uintah School Board.
Arnold is currently an instructional coach at Vernal Middle School. She will succeed Don Heath as Lapoint’s principal. Heath has accepted a principal position in another district.
“As a coach, Emily has engaged in years of rigorous professional development that has increased her capacity as an effective instructional leader,” Uintah Schools Superintendent Dr. Rick Woodford said.
“I believe her personality and experience will allow Emily to quickly gain the confidence and support of the staff, students, and community," Woodford said. “She is a great fit for Lapoint, which is more like a family than a traditional school staff due to its size.”
Woodford introduced Arnold to most of the Lapoint Elementary staff on Friday afternoon.
Arnold spent the first 15 years of her career at Ashley Elementary School, where she taught kindergarten, 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade. After that, she moved to Uintah Middle School, where she taught 6th grade math for four years before becoming an instructional coach at VMS four years ago. During the 2021-22 school year, Arnold served as the interim assistant principal at VMS for a short time.
“After that brief stint as the interim assistant principal, I decided I really wanted to be back at an elementary school,” Arnold said.
“I love that Lapoint is a tightknit community, and I'm so excited to be at a school where I can get to know each student individually,” she said. “I have a genuine love for people and want to help everyone be their best because I believe there is greatness in every person.”
Arnold also believes everyone is born to learn and grow, and that learning brings joy to people’s lives.
“I want to help the staff and students at Lapoint find joy in their journey of learning and growth,” she said. “I’m also committed to working with parents, teachers and community members to help our students continue to learn and grow, even outside the walls of the school.”