Ms. Shanda New
Director of Programs and Accountability
Conway Public School District
Ms. Shanda New brings three decades of experience in education to her new role as Director of Programs and Accountability for Conway Public Schools. A proud farm girl from Kansas, she was raised by a science teacher father who inspired her passion for learning and teaching.
Ms. New earned her Bachelor of Science in Education (Science Education) from Oklahoma Baptist University and began her career teaching 7th grade science at Hughes Middle School in Burleson, Texas. She served there for seven years as a teacher before moving into administration as an assistant principal, a role she held for three years. During that time, she completed her Master’s in Educational Administration at the University of Texas at Arlington.
After relocating to Conway in 2005, Ms. New served in higher education for over a decade, first as an adjunct instructor and then as Assistant Professor of Education at Central Baptist College. There, she played a pivotal role in launching the college’s first bachelor’s degree programs in education and helped secure national accreditation for them.
Ms. New joined Conway Public Schools in 2018 as Assistant Principal at Preston and Florence Mattison Elementary School, serving in that role for four years. She went on to earn her Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership (Superintendency) from Arkansas State University and became Principal of Marguerite Vann Elementary in 2022.
Now beginning her 30th year in education, Ms. New is excited to support CPSD in a districtwide capacity. She is passionate about using data and accountability systems to strengthen student achievement and enhance program effectiveness.
Ms. New has been married to her husband, Aaron—Organizational Development Manager at Conway Regional Health System—for 30 years. They have three sons: Parker (23), married to Anna Kathleen; Tanner (20); and Cooper (17). All three boys are proud products of Conway Public Schools.
Outside of work, Ms. New enjoys reading, shopping, eating out, singing at church, and spending time with her family and friends.
CPSD is excited for her to begin this new chapter supporting districtwide programs and student success!