Hannibal Public Schools select Oakwood principal, new special services director

HANNIBAL, MO – Hannibal Public Schools recently announced Stephanie Eaton as the next principal of Oakwood Elementary School, and Jennifer Welker will take on the role of special services director.

Eaton started her teaching career at A.D. Stowell Elementary. She left in 2018 to begin her first principal role at Canton Elementary. She received her specialist degree in administration in 2021.

Eaton said she is well-prepared to lead Oakwood Elementary.

“I am excited to return to Hannibal and continue the tradition of excellence that started my career in education,” she said in a press release.

Welker, with 16 years of service in the district, began as a special services teacher. She currently is the lead teacher at Hannibal High School in an autism classroom.

Welker earned her Board Certified Behavior Analyst credentials and has been in a leadership role on the district BEST team, which provides customized instructional strategies for students K-12. She received her doctorate in organization management and special education in 2018.