OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Two Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) leaders received surprise honors Friday morning, being named the district’s 2025 Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year.
East Marion Elementary Principal Sarah Dobbs found out about her award during an unexpected visit from Superintendent Dr. Diane Gullett and a group of supporters on Friday, Nov. 8, at 9:30 a.m. With 13 years of experience in MCPS, Dobbs has served in different leadership positions, such as assistant principal at Oakcrest and Harbour View Elementary schools, before becoming principal in 2022. She is recognized as a “highly effective” principal and is involved in community and professional projects.
Dobbs, who was Marion County’s 2014 Rookie Teacher of the Year, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, and a specialist degree from the American College of Education, where she is pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
About an hour later, Lake Weir Middle School Assistant Principal Constance Carpenter received a similar surprise naming her the 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year. Carpenter joined MCPS in 2004 and has served in numerous roles, including student services manager and literacy specialist, before becoming assistant principal at Lake Weir Middle in 2022.
Carpenter earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida and her Master’s in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. She is dedicated to improving teaching practices and student outcomes through research-based strategies.
Both Dobbs and Carpenter will represent MCPS in state-level competitions for Florida’s 2025 Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year.