FCPS Names New Principals at Liberty, Athens-Chilesburg Elementary Schools
All top leadership posts in Fayette County’s 37 elementary schools are now filled with the selection June 28 of two new principals.
Lisa Kear is the new principal of Liberty Elementary School, and Mark Rose is the new principal of Athens-Chilesburg Elementary. The principals assumed their new positions July 1.
“Each new hire strengthens our team,” Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Manny Caulk said. “Our students and families are counting on us, and we need leaders who are committed to being difference makers.”
Kear has more than 16 years of experience in education. She taught special education for four-and-a-half years at Julia R. Ewan Elementary and then served three years there as a professional staff assistant.
She was a member of the team that helped open Liberty Elementary in 2008 and then served as a professional staff assistant at the new school.
Kear also spent four years as the administrative dean of Liberty and five years as its professional growth and effectiveness coach.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in K-12 special education and K-5 regular education from Eastern Kentucky University. She also earned her master’s degree in educational leadership at EKU.
Kear, 58, and her husband Brad have three children – Chelsea, Evan and Clarie – and three grandsons – Jude, Pierce, and Finn.
“Lisa Kear is deeply committed to the students, families, and staff at Liberty Elementary School,” said Lisa Smith, FCPS Elementary School Chief.
“Building relationships and advocating for others is second nature for her. She has a heart for ensuring that each child receives the support he or she needs to excel in school and in life.”
Smith served as Caulk’s liaison on the Liberty principal search.
Rose has 29 years of experience in education, including 20 years of teaching in Clark County at Shearer, Hannah McClure and Providence elementary schools, as well as Clark Middle School.
After a year as the professional growth and effectiveness coach at Glendover Elementary in Fayette County, he became the principal of Providence Elementary in 2011. When Providence closed due to consolidation, he became principal of Shearer Elementary and has been there since 2014.
Rose earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education, the former from EKU and the latter from Morehead State University. He received his rank I in instructional leadership from EKU.
Rose, 51, has two German Shorthaired Pointers named Agnes and Avery Ann.
“The SBDM council of Athens-Chilesburg Elementary has selected a candidate who is a champion around instructional leadership, equity, inclusivity, and is great at building relationships,” Elementary School Chief Faith Thompson said.
“Mark Rose has a proven record at moving high performing schools to even higher heights, so I am confident the rich traditions at ACE will not only continue but they will be extended.”
Thompson served as Caulk’s liaison on the ACE principal search.
“With the selection of these two individuals, I am confident that Athens-Chilesburg and Liberty Elementary will remain in good hands,” Caulk said. “Every school deserves a transformational leader who will keep students first in every decision.”