The Andover Board of Education has hired Michelle Adler, Ed.D., as the new principal of Cottonwood Elementary School beginning in August. She will replace Mrs. Shari Rooks, who is retiring after serving as Cottonwood principal since 2002.

Dr. Adler has been a valued member of the Cottonwood community since she was hired by the district as social emotional learning instructional coach in 2020. She has worked with students who need extra help with behavior in the classroom, and has provided guidance to teachers who have challenging students in class. Her leadership as a substitute principal in the district and principal of Jump Start summer school provided extra preparation for this new role.

Prior to her time in Andover, Dr. Adler served from 2015-2020 as assistant professor and chair of the Elementary Education Department at Wichita State University; from 2013-2015 as an instructional coach at Winfield Public Schools; and from 2010-2015 as an assistant professor of education at Southwestern College. She started her career as an elementary teacher in the Buhler and Maize districts.

Dr. Adler’s education includes a doctorate of curriculum and instruction from Liberty University, a master’s in curriculum and instruction from Wichita State University, and a bachelor’s of elementary education from Emporia State University.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Adler in her new role!