Poplar Bluff, Missouri - The 2013-2014 school year will mark the end of an era at O’Neal Elementary School, but members of the community agree that the upcoming principal will keep things running smoothly for years to come.

O’Neal principal of 24 years, Lorenzo Sandlin, will be passing the torch to Angie Rideout after the school board unanimously voted Rideout during their monthly meeting on February 19th.

 Principal Sandlin formally requested his retirement this past December will be missed at O'Neal but has decided to stick around and help transition Rideout into the leadership role at O'Neal throughout the next couple of months. 

This is not Sandlin's and Rideout's first encounter, however. They have met before in 2001, where Sandlin gave Rideout her first job in the teaching field as he took her under his wing as his aide at O'Neal, the same elementary school where Rideout had completed her student teaching requirements as an undergraduate. She went on to teach at Zalma after graduation and is now back at O'Neal with her upcoming career as a principal.

“To know that I’m returning as an administrator to the place where I started teaching is a big honor for me,” Rideout explained.

Born in Broseley, Rideout earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Methodist University in Fayette and her master’s from William Woods University in Fulton. After she left to teach fourth grade for three years, she returned to Poplar Bluff as a third grade faculty member at Oak Grove Elementary School the following year.

“I feel she’s worked her way up the ladder to this position, which is very important, and will serve her well in meeting the challenges of principalship,” Sandlin said. “I’ll show her the ropes, and if she chooses to continue operating that way, it’s her world to make her own decisions. After 31 years in education, it’s time to allow someone else to come in with fresh ideas and new thoughts.”

Sandlin began his career in 1982 as a sixth grade teacher at O’Neal for two years before becoming head teacher at then Mark Twain School, which served kindergarten through sixth grade.  In 1989, he was promoted to his present title as principal at O’Neal.

For those who worked closest to him, Sandlin will be best remembered for his giving heart and charities. His co-workers claim to be like family with each other, which is one of the reasons Sandlin is so close to their hearts.

Although Sandlin will be leaving after such a long career he has created for himself at O'Neal, Rideout is anxious to take a step into her own career and hopes to make it as successful and plentiful as Sandlin's.  

“You have to have that team atmosphere, where everybody feels that connection or unity,” Rideout said. “I’ve worked with many teachers at O’Neal, all here for the good of the students, and my plan is to just keep growing and learning with them.”