The Mississippi School of the Arts has welcomed a new principal in Brookhaven’s Avery Peagler.

Peagler served as counselor at the two-year arts high school for two years prior to her work in education administration. She is a graduate of the High School for Performing Arts music program in Houston, Texas. She holds a Specialist in Educational Leadership from the University of Mississippi, Masters in Education in School Counseling from Sam Houston State University, and a Bachelor of Music from Mississippi College. She is presently in the doctoral program for Educational Leadership at William Carey University.

Peagler comes to MSA from North Pike School District where she has served as assistant principal and counselor. She has also served as assistant principal for the Natchez Adams School District and through Principal Corps for North Pike School District. She was also choral music teacher for Cy-Fair ISD and Waller ISD in Texas; and counselor at Cy-Fair High School and Memorial High School in Houston, Texas. 

Peagler has continued her music performance and music ministry through church and choral work in various churches throughout the area.

Her musical theatre performances include 42nd Street, The Music Man, Oklahoma!, You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow (Sondheim Revue). Solo work includes “America” from West Side Story (Rosalia), Leonard Bernstein, “Laudamus Te” from Gloria (Soprano I), Antonio Vivaldi, “Lullay My Liking” (Soprano), Thomas Slawson, Commissioned Work for the Mississippi College Festival of Lights. Her performances in musical theatre and opera repertoire have been part of recital and choral performances.

She was a finalist in the National Association for Teachers of Singing competition and was in the Texas Master Chorale. She is also active in the music ministry of First Baptist Church Brookhaven.

She has been married to Brookhaven High School Assistant Principal Dr. Jeremy Peagler for 21 years. They have three children, Emma Claire (14), Eli (12), and Ethan (8).