At the start of the 2015- 2016 school year, Oxford Middle School will have a new principal. Audra Rester, currently Oxford Middle School Assistant Principal, will be taking over the job.
Born in Oxford and alumni of Ole Miss, Rester has deep ties to the Oxford community. Rester attended the University of Mississippi and graduated in 1994 with a degree in English. She earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.
“I’ve wanted to go into education since I was 8 years old,” Rester said. “My mom died when I was 8, and my teacher changed my outlook by taking over and helping out.”
Ever since then, Rester has enjoyed the idea that education is the way to help people live better lives. “Education is an equalizing force and no one can take away your right to an education,” Rester said.
Rester got her start as an eighth grade language arts teacher at Petal School District in Petal. Throughout her career, she moved up the ladder and eventually became principal of Petal Upper Elementary School. In June of last year, Rester was offered the opportunity to work in the Oxford School District as Assistant Principal at Oxford Middle School.
Along with her husband, Eddie Rester, and two daughters, Sydney and Ann Claire, Rester moved from Hattiesburg to Oxford. Eddie, also an Ole Miss graduate, is the pastor at Oxford University United Methodist Church. Sydney is in the eighth grade and Anne Claire is in the fifth grade. Both are enrolled in the Oxford School District.
Although she didn’t expect to end up in Oxford, Rester admits that it is a great family town. “I always loved Oxford as a college town, but coming back as parent, there are so many family friendly aspects that I never paid attention to while in college,” Rester said.
She explained that it really is the perfect little town with a really cohesive and collaborative atmosphere between the town and the University. “Claire walks to her dad’s church or down the street to play with friends and I’m okay with that,” Rester said.
It is a wonderful atmosphere with an outstanding school district. “Working for the school district is a privilege, but the kids are a viable part of the community and that makes my job that much more important,” she said.
“The kids are the most enjoyable part about working for Oxford Middle School,” Rester said. She explained that the privilege to work with such amazing children is the most rewarding experience because as a teacher, you want to see the kids growing academically and teaching provides that opportunity.
Rester plans to pick up right where current principal of Oxford Middle School, Mr. Clay will leave off. Continuing to focus on closing the gap and promoting personal growth and learning within each and every student is the main focus.
During her tenure as middle school principal, Rester has many goals but the most important being a focus on the growth of the kids. “We want the kids to understand where they are academically and be able to set their own goals because they are the owners of their own growth,” Rester said.
Not only will Rester be looking at the growth of the children, she will concentrate on improving the school atmosphere. “Implementing professional learning communities for the teachers is one step on the ladder because we need to become lifelong learners ourselves,” Rester said.
Additionally, she will continue to look at what is and isn’t working within the classroom. The goal is to obtain a complete cycle of improvement. “We need to start by asking “Did this work?” and if not, change it,” Rester said.
“I am privileged to be a part of this community and having a small role in doing what is best for our kids,” Rester said.
By continuing a path of success in Oxford Middle School and leaving her own legacy along the way, Audra Rester will be a great asset for the children attending the middle school, the Oxford School District, and the community of Oxford, Mississippi.
Lindsey Andrews is a HottyToddy.com staff reporter and can be reached at lnandre1@go.olemiss.edu.
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