Congratulations to Mrs. Mandy Lopez on being named the Principal of Destin Middle School at the January 26, 2026, School Board meeting. Mrs. Lopez is an experienced educator who began her career as a fourth-grade teacher in North Carolina after earning her bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University. She relocated to Florida in 2013 with her military family and joined the Okaloosa County School District, where she taught third and fourth grade at Edge Elementary School while earning her master's in educational leadership from the University of West Florida.
She advanced to instructional leadership roles at Walker Elementary School, serving as English Language Arts (ELA) Instructional Coach (2017-2019) and Assistant Principal (2019-2023), earning Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year in 2023. Mrs. Lopez was appointed Principal of Walker Elementary in 2023 where she focused on instructional leadership, collaborative school culture, and student achievement, receiving Elementary Principal of the Year honors in 2025. Mrs. Lopez is a mother of two and is looking forward to continuing her service to students, staff, and families as the Principal of Destin Middle School.