Hawthorne Elementary School will have a new assistant principal, effective July 2022, as Beck Balsamo was tapped for the position at last week’s Mexico School Board meeting. 

Balsamo is currently a fifth grade teacher in Centralia.

Balsamo is in his 14th year of education all with Centralia Public Schools. He is in his fourth year as the district summer school director and his third year of teaching fifth grade social studies.  Before moving to fifth grade, he taught kindergarten-eighth grade PE for 11 years.  He also has 15 years of coaching experience that includes varsity football assistant, head middle school football, assistant track, and head middle school boys and girls basketball.

Having received his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Toledo, Balsamo completed his teacher certification at Central Methodist University, and received his masters in administration (K-8) from William Woods University. Currently, he is a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association and the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals.

Originally, Balsamo’s path was not education. He started in the business world and coached middle school sports in the evenings. His love for coaching kids prompted him to change career paths and enter the world of education full time. He enjoys motivating, mentoring, and building positive relationships with students.

Balsamo has been married to his wife, Brandi, for 11 years, and they have two daughters, Kaylie and Mayci.  They also have a spoiled three-year-old mini labradoodle.  In his spare time, he enjoys watching and coaching his daughters’ sporting events, cooking, barbecuing, and spending time with his family.

“I am deeply humbled and excited for the opportunity to serve at Hawthorne Elementary School,” said Balsamo. “I look forward to working alongside the great faculty and staff in providing a positive and successful educational experience for the students at Hawthorne Elementary.”

 “I am so excited that Beck will be joining our Hawthorne family,” Kathryn Lehnen, who will be moving from assistant principal to principal of Hawthorne next year, said. “He brings so many experiences with him that will benefit both our staff and students.  I’m excited for this coming school year and all of its possibilities.  Together, Beck and I will work toward Hawthorne’s mission of helping everyone succeed.”