Leigh Ann Rowland was named principal of Huxford Elementary School at the Escambia County Board of Education meeting last week.

Rowland, who served as an administrator at HES until her promotion, said she’s always had the desire to be in education.

“I never considered anything else,” she said. “It made such an impact on me as a child, and I always wanted to grow up and make an impact like my teachers did on me.”

While as an administrator, Rowland managed the daily operations of the school, supervised all teachers and staff, monitored lesson plans and worked with an instructional coach, among other responsibilities.

Before working at HES, Rowland was the media specialist at A.C. Moore Elementary School and Rachel Patterson Elementary School, instructional coach at W.S. Neal and taught at Nan Gray Davis Elementary and RPES.

When asked what the best part of her job is, Rowland said it’s being able to build relationships with students, and letting them know that she believes in them.

“I want to make sure that we are able to give them everything that they need to become productive, successful citizens of our community,” she said. “Our parents are so supportive of our school, and the relationships that we have with them help ensure our success.”

Rowland started as principal on March 1.