Staff report
After serving three years as principal at Rimes Early Learning and Literacy Center in Leesburg, Gregg Dudley has been named principal of The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake for the 2020-21 school year.
He replaces Principal Dave Bordenkircher, who is retiring.
Meanwhile, Dominique Ward, assistant principal at Lakes Hills School in Howey-in-the-hills for the past two years, has been named Dudley’s replacement at Rimes.
Dudley is entering his 29th year as an educator in the state of Florida, beginning his career as an American history teacher at Lake Weir Middle School in Marion County in 1992. Since then, he served as a dean of students, an athletic director, a summer enrichment director, an assistant principal, and a principal in various school settings.
Dudley said he is excited to join The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake and that he will bring an inclusive leadership style that welcomes input from all stakeholders and continues in the tradition of excellence already in place there.
Ward, meanwhile, began her education career 17 years ago in Columbia County teaching students with varying exceptionalities in special education and general education settings. She then served various schools in the role of Staffing Specialist with Columbia County’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department. She transitioned into an administrative role and helped lead two PK-12 schools to success.
After serving seven years as an assistant principal, including Lake Hills, she said she is prepared to lead Rimes and is excited to continue working to support all students and teachers in their quest for success.
She is looking forward to building relationships with students, faculty, and the community, and welcomes input from all stakeholders.
