Ozark district names new special services leader

After five years as principal of the Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, Elizabeth Dawson is transitioning to a new leadership position in the Ozark School District.

The Ozark School District Board of Education recently voted to promote Dawson to executive director of special services for the 2026-27 year. She will start July 1.

Superintendent Lori Wilson said Dawson’s background was a good fit for the new role.

“During her five years as principal at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, Dr. Dawson has demonstrated strong leadership in guiding special services while also building meaningful relationships with students, families and staff,” Wilson said in a March 16 news release. “Her experience and dedication to students will help advance the district’s vision and strategic plan.”

Dawson started her education career in 2006 as a speech-language pathologist. Four years later, she was named a special education coordinator in the Sparta R-3 School District.

In 2015, she joined the Ozark district and served as a speech-language pathologist, special education process coordinator and then assistant principal of Tiger Paw before stepping into the principal job.

In the new role, Dawson will oversee special education services for all grade levels plus process coordinators and therapists.

Dawson will replace Laura Eakins, who plans to retire at the end of the school year after 25 years in education.

Prior to Ozark, where she served in numerous roles, Eakins worked in the Branson, Nixa and Strafford districts.

Phillip Dowden, director of communications and marketing, said the new salary for Dawson is estimated to be $128,000.