Dr. Teonna Walker
Assistant Principal
Walker has served in the Ferguson-Florissant School District since 2017, currently serving as the Instructional Support Leader at Duchesne Primary. Prior to this role, she served as a classroom teacher at Commons Lane Primary and Johnson-Wabash Elementary. In these positions, she led instruction, supported curriculum development, and contributed to student growth through interventions.
Before joining the District, she served as an alternative education teacher, lead teacher, and PBIS chair at Confluence Academy Old North.
Walker holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Maryville University. She also earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Maryville University, a master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in learning disabilities from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in early childhood (PK–3) from Harris-Stowe State University.
Chanel Higgins
Commons Lane, Principal
Higgins currently serves as an assistant principal at Cold Water/Townsend Elementary in the Hazelwood School District. Prior to that role, she served as an Instructional Support Leader at Parker Road Elementary in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. In that role, she supported instruction, coached teachers, and contributed to building a positive and data-driven school culture.
She previously served as an administrative intern at Duchesne Elementary. She has also served as a reading specialist for both the Normandy Schools Collaborative and Ferguson-Florissant School District, where she diagnosed and addressed reading challenges and led Tier 1 intervention teams.
Higgins holds an education specialist degree and a master’s degree in educational administration with an emphasis in special reading from Lindenwood University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Central Missouri State University.
Carnella Williams
Berkeley, Principal
Carnella Williams brings over two decades of experience in education and leadership. She began her career in education in 2003 as an elementary teacher at the first campus of Confluence Academy and joined the Ferguson-Florissant School District in 2008, working at Cross Keys Middle School as an English teacher and Reading Intervention Specialist. She has held roles as assistant principal at Griffith and Robinwood Elementary schools and served as principal of Central Elementary from 2020-2024.
Currently, she serves as an Instructional Support Leader at Robinwood Intermediate. She has presented at PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) conferences at both the regional and national level.
Williams holds a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and certifications in Elementary Education, Middle School English Language Arts, and Social Science. She earned a master’s degree and an education specialist degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University and holds K–12 administrative certification.
Daniel Farrell
Director of Operations & Facilities
Farrell brings extensive experience in facilities management, operations, and education. He currently serves as facilities manager at CIC St. Louis, overseeing a 90,000 sq. ft. mixed-use building that includes office and lab spaces.
His experience includes overseeing mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and HVAC systems across large-scale facilities; supervising facilities, operations, and custodial teams; and leading capital projects including roofing, generator installation, and construction improvements.
Before joining CIC, he worked in the Ladue School District as a general maintenance technician. Completing a wide range of repairs and preventative maintenance for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and water systems. He also led building projects, including, demolition, drywall, flooring, and snow removal. He has also completed training in HVAC system web controls and locksmithing.
Farrell holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and has completed graduate-level coursework in education and innovation at Webster University.
Anthony Chance
Chief Financial & Operations Officer
Chance brings broad experience in financial and operational leadership across K–12 education and nonprofit organizations. He currently serves as Controller at Christian Brothers College High School, where he oversees fiscal strategy, budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance. Prior to that role, he served as vice president of finance and operations at the Regional Arts Commission.
He was the executive director of finance and business operations for Hancock Place School District from 2017-2023, where he oversaw all business office and operational functions for the district, including finance, budgeting, payroll, HR, transportation, technology, and facilities.
He has also served as the director of finance for Warren County R-III School District and business manager for Mexico School District No. 59. He also held finance roles with the Animal Protective Association of Missouri and Chesterfield Day School, managing budgets, payroll, benefits, and board reporting.
Chance holds a Master of Science in Accountancy from Fontbonne University, an MBA from Saint Louis University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri–Columbia.
Please join us in welcoming these leaders to their new positions and wishing them much success in the school year as we serve our students, families, and community.
