JoAnna Jones was welcomed Monday as the new principal of Cumberland Trace Elementary School with music, the school’s dancing tiger mascot and many smiles.

Warren County Public Schools officials called a special meeting of the school’s site-based decision-making council Monday to announce the new principal, who will start July 1. The council spent the past 30 days interviewing candidates for the job, Superintendent Rob Clayton said.

Jones stood out because of her leadership experience and her commitment to children, Clayton said, and every one of Jones’ responses to the council’s interview questions was about putting students first.

“She has a high level of professionalism and integrity with a tremendous passion for kids,” he said.

Mary Evans, the school’s previous principal, retired last month after 19 years at the school.

Evans, who has known Jones for years, described her as “child focused” and an “astute educator.” She added that Jones can help the school reach its goals.

Those goals include supporting English learners, using technology more effectively to promote learning and becoming a Lighthouse school, a designation given to schools that best integrate Stephen Covey’s The Leader in Me program, which uses concepts in his book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.”

For Jones, who was a student teacher at Cumberland Trace 22 years ago, coming back to Warren County is like coming home.

Following the council’s announcement, several students, parents, teachers and other community members lined up to greet and congratulate Jones.

Debbie Embry, who teaches first grade at Cumberland Trace, was Jones’ neighbor years ago. Their boys used to play together.

“I think she’ll do a very good job,” said Embry, who thinks Jones can bring fresh ideas and new energy to the school.

Chuck Wolfram, assistant principal at South Warren High School, said he always wanted to run marathons and that Jones helped motivate him. He wakes up at 4:20 a.m. to meet Jones for runs. Jones doesn’t let him slack off, he said – if he’s not out there, he’s in trouble. It’s paid off: In the last three years, they ran eight marathons.

Wolfram has known Jones since they were kids in elementary school together. He described her as very competitive, even back then. No matter what she did, if she set her mind to it, you knew to get out of her way, Wolfram said.

Lynette Breedlove, director of the Gatton Academy at Western Kentucky University, said the school has been responsive to her son’s needs. Breedlove said her active son is able to diffuse excess energy in class by sitting on a yoga ball, rather than in a chair. She described it as an example of the school’s forward thinking and willingness to try different approaches. 

Before taking her current job, Jones was principal at Lincoln Elementary School in Simpson County. She also has experience as assistant principal of Briarwood Elementary.

Jones said Evans left big shoes to fill and she wants to continue the academic legacy at Cumberland Trace. She wants to cultivate relationships and promote leadership as she prepares for a new school year.

“It’s come full circle,” she said.

— Follow Daily News intern Aaron Mudd on Twitter at twitter.com/aaron_muddbgdn or visit bgdailynews.com.