New Maysville Elementary principal enjoys first week on the job
By Junious Smith III
MAYSVILLE — The first week of the Mandi Gillis era took place at Maysville Elementary School last week.
Gillis is a first-time principal, taking over after former principal Bryce Marquis accepted the same position at Jones Senior. Gillis comes with an extensive education background, as her new gig at Maysville Elementary marks her 19th year in the profession.
Gillis worked with hearing-impaired and exceptional children for the first 12 years of her career before working as an assistant principal at three different schools — most recently, Heritage Elementary in Richlands.
“The opportunity presented itself here and with me being born and raised in Swansboro, I’m very familiar with Jones County,” Gillis said. “I attend church with one of my staff members and she told me ‘if you’re interested, you should apply for it.’ I felt like if it was meant to be, it’ll happen, and fortunately I was able to get the position.
“There’s two things I like to tell people: when it’s time to work I’m there to work hard, but I also love to have fun. For me, I don’t like to sit around at a desk and while there are times I’ll need to, my job is to be a leader — setting an example and letting everyone know you can have fun while still putting in work.”
Tina Trott, a teacher’s assistant at Maysville Elementary, said she believes Gillis will be a strong fit.
“She’s come in and interacted with the children, and really made it like a family environment,” Trott said. “She definitely cares and I can’t wait to see what she brings here.”
Gillis said the impact of seeing the children on the first day was wonderful and she hopes to build upon it in the coming weeks.
“That is the best part of education, the day when the kids walk in and everything is fresh and new,” Gillis said. “The excitement is in the air and I love it. My expectations are to listen and learn — this is a great staff (and) I have come into a very wonderful situation here. My job is to come in here and continue progress going on at Maysville.”
