Mrs. Shannon Findley joins Ostmann Elementary as Principal, effective July 1. Findley, who has been the Assistant Principal at nearby Pheasant Point Elementary since 2019, is looking forward to her new role. She had a chance to meet with staff as the school year was finishing up and has already scheduled time this summer to continue those conversations. After sharing a letter with families in May, Findley attended the Hoots game when the Ostmann choir sang the National Anthem. “It was such a fun night—the choir did an amazing job, and it was a great opportunity to connect with families and, most importantly, to meet some of the students. Those moments have made me even more excited to be part of this community.”
Findley’s focus on the power of connections starts with her own family. “I enjoy spending my time outside of school with family and friends. I love reading a good book, going to concerts with my mom, and playing cards,” Findley says. “I also love attending my son Cooper’s events, including marching band competitions and baseball games. These moments are what keep me grounded and reinforce the importance of relationships, something I bring into my work each day.”
Ostmann’s strong sense of community and the foundation already in place to support both students and staff drew Findley to the community. “It was clear to me that Ostmann is a place where people care deeply about students and each other,” she says. “There are clear systems that guide instruction, collaboration, and student support, ensuring consistency and success across the school. I’m excited to see how teams work together and how the school builds a positive, connected culture for learning. Being able to come into a school with those strong structures and that sense of pride allows us to continue growing while keeping students at the center of everything we do.
“I look forward to listening, building relationships, and understanding the strengths and traditions that make Ostmann a unique school community so I can best support everyone’s growth,” she says. “ I believe in listening first, learning from our students, staff, and families, and ensuring that communication is clear and meaningful.”
Findley started her career at School of the Osage and, in her 10 years there, taught 3rd and 5th grades. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Missouri State, as well as a Master’s of Educational Administration and an Education Specialist in Educational Leadership, both from William Woods. She joined Fort Zumwalt in an assistant principal role at Lewis & Clark Elementary in 2016.