Epting tapped to lead Madison Avenue
Madison County Schools announced this week Dr. Kristal Pollard Epting will be the next principal of Madison Avenue Elementary School. Dr. Epting is a familiar face in Madison County Schools, having served as assistant principal at Mannsdale Elementary School prior to her current role as lead principal at Flowood Elementary School.
“I am honored to return to Madison County School District as principal of Madison Avenue Elementary School. I am incredibly humbled for this opportunity and privilege to continue to be a servant leader who moves in excellence for the students, staff, and families of the school community at Madison Avenue. Go Jaguars!,” says Epting.
Dr. Epting has distinguished herself as an educator, school counselor, and administrator, earning numerous accolades and honors. In 2014, she earned the Lamar County School District Excellence in Education Award while serving as a guidance counselor at Oak Grove Elementary School and in the 2020-2021 school year was recognized as Mississippi’s Outstanding Assistant Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). NAESP then selected Dr. Epting as the National Outstanding Assistant Principal for 2021.
“We are delighted that Dr. Epting is returning to Madison County Schools as lead principal of Madison Avenue Elementary,” says Madison County Schools Deputy Superintendent Ted Poore, “Not only does she have an outstanding track-record of achievement, but more importantly she cares deeply for students and their success in school and beyond.”
A very active member of the community, Dr. Epting has volunteered as a mentor to graduate students, a tutor for secondary students, and has served as President of the Mississippi Association of Elementary School Administrators.
A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. Epting earned her BA in English followed by an M.Ed. in counseling and personnel services. She earned her specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Mississippi State University. After earning her Ph.D. in Research, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment in the Department of Educational Research and Administration at the University of Southern Mississippi, she has taught as an adjunct instructor at Mississippi State University.
Dr. Epting is married to Eddie Epting II, a military veteran, and they have a nearly six-month-old son, Eddie III, affectionately known as “E.C.” In her free time, Dr. Epting enjoys reading, online shopping, listening to music and podcasts, and most of all, spending time with her family.