The Arkadelphia Public Schools Board of Education approved the hire of Nikki Thomas as principal of Goza Middle School at its regular meeting on April 17. Thomas will replace Goza's current principal, Angela Garner, as she retires in June.
“We are pleased to have Mrs. Thomas as principal of Goza Middle School for the 2018-19 school year,” Superintendent Dr. Donnie Whitten said. “It is always great when we can promote from within the district. I look forward to working with Mrs. Thomas as we continue to provide our middle school students with a first-class experience.”
Thomas will begin her role as principal of Goza Middle School starting July 1, 2018. Thomas is an Arkadelphia native and a graduate of Arkadelphia High School. Her degrees include Bachelor of Science in Education: Secondary Social Studies from Ouachita Baptist University, Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Henderson State University, and Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership from HSU. Thomas served as a teacher at Goza Middle School for nine years, a K-12 curriculum coordinator at Bismarck Public Schools for one year, Peake Elementary School principal for nine years, and assistant principal at Arkadelphia High School for one year.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be coming full circle back to the school where I started my teaching career 20 years ago,” Thomas said. “I am looking forward to working with the exceptional teachers and support staff at Goza to continue the excellence that our community expects. I am also excited about working with my former Peake students as middle-schoolers. That age is so fun to be around! I believe having the existing relationships with many staff, students and parents will make this transition a positive one for everyone, especially for the students I serve.”
Arkadelphia Public Schools serves more than 2,000 students in Clark County, Arkansas, ranging from 6-weeks-old through college- and career-readiness - and is home of the Arkadelphia Promise.
APS News hanna.dean@arkadelphiaschools.org