When Principal Missy McQueen walks through the halls of Woodstock Elementary each morning, it feels a bit like coming home. 

A proud alumna of the Murray school herself, McQueen is now leading the next generation of Wolverines — many of them children of her former students and some, from when she worked with at Twin Peaks Elementary before its doors closed in 2023.

“It’s really special,” she said with a smile. “Some of the students in my fifth-grade class now are parents, dropping off their own kids here.”

Even though it’s a new school building from when she attended, McQueen still has “warm-hearted” memories that made her laugh.

“Everything was built out of logs when I went here and I used to get slivers and over there, I used to swing to the moon and ended up breaking my wrist multiple times,” she said.

After 26 years as a teacher, teacher-mentor and instructional coach at Twin Peaks and then as an intern one year at Magna Elementary, McQueen made her way back to Woodstock as a first-time principal, reenergizing the school’s community spirit and learning with creativity, kindness and joy. Her approach goes far beyond test scores and textbooks — it’s about making school a place kids want to be.

A principal with Dash and drive

One of her first projects was reinventing Woodstock’s mascot. 

“We’re still the Wolverines, but we wanted something a little more kid-friendly,” McQueen said.

The result is “Dash,” a student-named, bright, animated Wolverine who stars in the school’s weekly “Dash Cam” broadcasts. On Fridays, classrooms compete to show their school spirit, winning a visit from Dash himself. Photos and videos from Dash Cam are shared schoolwide, creating excitement and unity.

Dash also plays a role in teaching positive behavior. As part of the school’s PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program, McQueen is animating Dash to “model” expectations — how to walk quietly in the halls, show respect and demonstrate kindness.

“If we can teach with creativity and fun, the lessons stick,” she said.

Sweet Seats and Kindness Trees

Kindness is a cornerstone at Woodstock. Near the front of the school stands the “Kindness Tree,” donated by a local family, where students pose for photos for modeling helpfulness and thoughtfulness.

Classrooms have their own trees, where the 550 students write compliments or kind acts on paper leaves, a growing reminder of the power of positivity, McQueen said.

In the office, the “Sweet Seat,” is another student favorite. Those who show good behavior may be nominated for a chance to sit in a candy-themed chair and have their photo taken with a certificate; their parents or guardians get a personal phone call from the principal. 

“It’s simple, but they light up with excitement and pride,” McQueen said.

Community connections

Bridging school and community is another passion of the principal. A popular partnership with nearby Woody’s Drive-In had students compete to create the recipe for a slushy; the winner — the Woodstock Whip — layered lime and raspberry slushy topped with vanilla ice cream, now is on Woody’s official menu. 

“My first graders won,” she said. “They were so proud to see something they created out in the community.”

Another beloved event is Principal McQueen’s Grand Prix, where students design cardboard box cars and parade them through the halls before a drive-in movie. Last year, the feature film was “Cars,” a fun tie-in to the principal’s last name and the activity at-hand. Outside, they enjoyed an antique car show which complemented the students’ activity. 

“It’s hands-on, it’s creative and it’s joyful,” she said. “That’s what makes learning fun.”

Woodstock students also take part in the “Soul Garden,” a partnership with a nearby Presbyterian church. They plant, harvest and donate fruits and vegetables to local shelters. 

“It’s an important and beautiful way to teach sustainability, stewardship and provide service,” McQueen said. “They get their hands dirty and see where food really comes from and they get to eat some too.”

Traditions continue

Throughout the year, Woodstock stays buzzing with traditional events: “Cans for Cocoa” hot chocolate drive, the Veterans Day tribute, trunk-or-treats with secondary school and community volunteers and weekly student-produced broadcasts. 

“We’ve rebuilt a sense of belonging,” McQueen said. “After years of turnover, it was important to continue the traditions that matter and families remember.”

Likely, there won’t be more principal turnover in the coming years. 

“I’m not moving on, no way. This is home; it’s my community. I’m at my dream job. I’ll retire from Woodstock,” she said. “We’re not just building better students — we’re building better humans and better memories. That’s what education is all about.”

Principal Missy McQueen points to her Woodstock building when she was a student at the school. (Julie Slama/City Journals)