Principal's Corner

Dear FCMS Families,

I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and say hello. My name is Dr. Alissa Richards, and I am honored to serve as the principal of Fort Campbell Middle School.

I have proudly served as a middle school leader within DoDEA for several years and have been part of the Fort Campbell community since 2022, first as principal at Mahaffey Middle School and now at FCMS. Before returning to Kentucky, I served at the DoDEA regional office in Sembach, Germany, supporting schools across the East District. Living overseas was a wonderful experience for my family, and it gave me an even deeper appreciation for the unique experiences, challenges, and strengths of military-connected students and families.

Supporting military families is both personal and professional for me. I come from a long history of military service across all branches of the Armed Forces, and serving this community is truly a calling. My own children attended DoDEA schools while we lived overseas, so I understand many of the transitions and adjustments that military families experience.

Before becoming an administrator, I spent eight years in the classroom as an elementary teacher. Throughout my career, I have served as an instructional specialist, assistant principal, principal, and educational leader in several different school systems. Along the way, I earned my doctorate in Educational Leadership, focusing my research on how participation in activities and athletics can help build confidence and self-efficacy in middle school students.

From experience, I can honestly say that middle school is one of the most exciting—and important—times in a child's life. Students are learning who they are, developing independence, and discovering new interests and talents. At FCMS, our goal is to support the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally while creating opportunities for every student to feel connected and successful. We are fortunate to have an incredible staff that is committed to helping students grow, providing support when needed, and celebrating their accomplishments along the way.

A little about me personally—I grew up in Wyoming and earned my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Art from Montana State University Billings, followed by a Master's degree in Reading and Literacy and my doctorate in Educational Leadership. Outside of school, I enjoy cheering on my children in their many activities, hiking, traveling, and exploring creative and artistic pursuits.

Most importantly, please know that my door is always open. I feel incredibly blessed to serve Fort Campbell Middle School and look forward to partnering with you to make these middle school years a positive, memorable, and successful experience for your child. If you ever have questions, concerns, or simply want to connect, please do not hesitate to stop by, call, or send me an email.

I look forward to getting to know you and serving your family.

Warm regards,

Dr. Alissa Richards

Principal

Fort Campbell Middle School