Bon Air Elementary School is welcoming a familiar face into a new leadership role this year. Mrs. Deanna Lott has been named Assistant Principal, bringing with her a decade of experience in the Burrell School District and a deep connection to the Lower Burrell community.

Mrs. Lott’s journey within the district began ten years ago when she joined Burrell as a special education teacher. During her time in the district, she also served as a Personalized Learning Coach before returning to the classroom.

“I have been with the district for 10 years,” she explained. “I was a special education teacher and personalized learning coach for 2.5 years before going back into the classroom as a special education teacher.”

Her passion for education actually began long before her time in Burrell.

“I began my professional journey working at a daycare, where I first discovered how much I enjoyed supporting young learners and watching their growth,” she said.

During her student teaching experience, she had the opportunity to observe a collaborative classroom where a general education teacher worked closely with a special education teacher.

“Seeing that collaboration in action and the impact individualized support had on students really resonated with me,” she said. “That experience inspired me to pursue a master’s degree in special education.”

Later, her role as a Personalized Learning Coach helped broaden her perspective beyond the classroom.

“In that position, I worked closely with teachers to design student-centered instruction, analyze data, and strengthen inclusive practices across classrooms,” Mrs. Lott said. “That experience sparked my interest in leadership and systems-level impact.”

Her move into administration, she says, felt like a natural next step.

“My experiences as both a classroom teacher and instructional leader have prepared me well to step into the Assistant Principal position at Bon Air,” she said.

As someone who grew up in Lower Burrell, the opportunity to serve in a leadership role within the district carries special meaning.

“Having grown up in Lower Burrell and now working within the district, I have a strong personal connection to the community and a deep understanding of the values and expectations families have for their schools,” she explained.

Throughout her career, she has focused on building relationships, supporting teachers, and helping students succeed.

“I believe strong leadership is rooted in relationships, clear communication, and a shared focus on student success,” Mrs. Lott said.

Her decision to pursue administration was also shaped by the leadership roles she naturally stepped into during her time in the classroom.

“Throughout my time in the classroom, I found myself mentoring colleagues, collaborating around data, and helping problem-solve challenges to improve student outcomes,” she said. “Those experiences helped me realize that I want to expand my impact beyond my own classroom.”

As she steps into her new position, Mrs. Lott is focused on continuing the strong culture already established at Bon Air.

“I hope to build upon the positive relationships Amy Lenart fostered with staff, students, and families,” she said. “Preserving that sense of trust while bringing fresh energy and perspective will allow us to honor the work already in place while continuing to grow.”

The transition from teacher to assistant principal has been both exciting and fast-paced.

“Each day brings a mix of instructional leadership, problem-solving, student support, and operational responsibilities,” she said. “While the pace is different from the classroom, my background has prepared me to stay organized and remain student-centered in decision making.”

Looking ahead, she sees opportunities to continue strengthening collaboration and family engagement within the school.

“I see an opportunity to continue building a culture of collaboration and shared leadership,” Mrs. Lott said. “When teachers feel empowered to lead, share strategies, and problem-solve together, innovation naturally follows.”

She also believes strong family partnerships play an important role in student success.

“When families feel informed and connected, students thrive,” she added.

Above all, she hopes the students she works with know how much they matter.

“I hope students remember that Mrs. Lott truly cared about them — not just as learners, but as individuals,” she said. “If they walk away remembering that they felt safe, encouraged, and empowered during their time with me, then I would consider that the greatest accomplishment.”

Outside the school building, she enjoys spending time outdoors exploring new places.

“People might be surprised to learn that I enjoy hiking and finding new waterfalls and trails to explore,” she said. “I’m a total beach person at heart. One of my favorite life experiences was getting to swim with and actually hold a dolphin.”

As she begins this new chapter at Bon Air, Mrs. Lott says she is excited to support the students, staff, and families that make the Burrell community so special.