Wendy Duvall stands in a crowd of others

Wendy Duvall, the new superintendent of Owensboro Independent, spent several years as a teacher and an administrator in Christian County. Submitted Photo

Wendy Duvall was named the 21st superintendent for Owensboro Independent and officially began her duties on July 1.

Coming into a new county and district, Duvall said she looks forward to meeting her new community, staff members and students.

“I have been able to meet so many leaders in the Owensboro area and they have welcomed me and have offered their resources to make sure kids are successful and have an amazing year,” Duvall said.

She said those interactions within the community supported her decision to come to Owensboro because she could see the passion they have for their students and their education.

“Meeting those leaders has really solidified that I am where I’m supposed to be and I’m looking forward to working with them,” Duvall said.

Duvall spent the previous three years as an assistant superintendent for Todd County, overseeing personnel, federal programs and title funds. Prior to her position in Todd County, she spent 14 years as the principal of Hopkinsville Middle School (Christian County). In a press release from the Owensboro district, Duvall is credited with improving Hopkinsville Middle School’s state assessment scores and raising more the $1.2 million in grant funding.

“I have always been a part of districts that cherish their students and create environments where student learning is at the forefront of all decisions and I look forward to doing the same at Owensboro Public Schools,” Duvall said.

Duvall started her career in education as a middle school math, science and social studies teacher in Tennessee before moving to Hopkinsville High School (Christian County), where she was the school’s curriculum specialist and English teacher for a year before becoming principal.  

Duvall said one of her top priorities as superintendent is to continue building relationships.

“We need to find the connection between the community, the school and home so that our students have an excellent experience at school, and they are prepared to work and live in this community,” she said.

Another one of Duvall’s priorities, which works hand in hand with relationship building, is making sure the students are the first consideration in all decisions concerning education and their experiences.

“One thing I wanted to highlight with this district is that they are really an example of working toward not only student physical health but mental health as well,” Duvall said. “I look forward to making sure that students have the resources they need to be successful in school and life.”