NATCHEZ &8212; Donna Stampley has a copy room office, essentially bare walls and an administrative blank slate all waiting for her special touch at Adams County Christian School.

Stampley, formerly a teacher at Frazier Primary School, started her new job as elementary school principal at ACCS on Aug. 22, filling a long-vacant position.

The school has had an elementary principal for two of the last 10 years, Headmaster John Gray said. It&8217;s an opening they&8217;ve wanted to fill, but not without the right person, he said.

&8220;(The elementary) has been without someone that can give them support, work with parents and classroom problems,&8221; Gray said. &8220;We felt she was the one. We really needed to get the ball rolling. There are so many things we wanted to do.&8221;

First on Stampley&8217;s agenda is creating a monthly chapel service for kindergarten through sixth-graders. The school will use puppet shows and skits to deliver a message to students in a way they can remember, Stampley said.

The first chapel is set for Sept. 12 and will be combined with grandparents&8217; day.

The elementary school will work to get parents, grandparents and other family members more involved in school events throughout the year with things like a fall picnic.

Beyond that, Stampley is currently reviewing the school&8217;s curriculum to close any gaps and better align it with state standards. Stampley has 15 years of teaching experience in the public schools, something she said has made her familiar with the state curriculum. She was a part of a team that wrote the Natchez-Adams County School District&8217;s curriculum.

She has also served as lead teacher, oversaw several grant programs and was chosen as teacher of the year at Frazier last year.

Though teaching will always be her first love, Stampley said her goal has always been administration.

&8220;I still get to work with students, I&8217;m in classrooms constantly and in the cafeteria every day,&8221; she said. &8220;I want it to be where I&8217;m visible; I&8217;m approachable.&8221;

Gray said the addition of Stampley will also help when accreditation time roles around a year from now.