An administrator has been appointed to head Mansfield ISD’s new innovative academy that will promote literacy and numeracy for its youngest learners.

Courtney Spitzer is the dean of instruction for the Dr. Sarah Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners. The campus, with a mission of improving school readiness using hands-on interactive experiences, is scheduled to open in January 2019.

Spitzer is an Arlington, Texas native who has been in education for nine years.

She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she also earned her Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Spitzer said she is honored to be able to work within Mansfield ISD and be part of a campus that will help shape early childhood literacy across the country.

“I am eager to partner with families and the MISD community to foster a love of learning and a joyous pre-kindergarten experience,” said Spitzer. “My goal as the new dean is to lead and serve the families and kiddos of MISD with joy and compassion because kids deserve it!”

The Academy for Early Learners will be centered around the research that children learn best through active, exploratory experiences.

Although the school will hold half-day classes for pre-kindergarten students in its feeder pattern, the academy will be open to all Mansfield ISD pre-k and kindergarten students through field trips and off-site learning visits during the school year and summer.