The Okaloosa County School Board on Monday unanimously approved the appointment of Mandy Lopez as the new principal of Destin Middle School.
- Lopez will replace Dr. Belinda Small, who was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Academic and Student Services in December after leading the school since 2020.
Lopez comes to the position after serving as principal of Walker Elementary School since 2023, where she was named Okaloosa County Elementary Principal of the Year in 2025. She previously served as assistant principal at Walker Elementary from 2019 to 2023 and was recognized as the district’s Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year in 2023.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as the principal of Destin Middle School,” Lopez told the board after her appointment was approved.
Lopez began her education career as a fourth grade teacher in Fayetteville, North Carolina, before relocating to Northwest Florida in 2013 when her husband, Kevin, was stationed at the 7th Special Forces Group. She joined the Okaloosa County School District that year as a third and fourth grade teacher at Edge Elementary School.
- She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from East Carolina University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of West Florida. She served as an English language arts instructional coach at Walker Elementary from 2017 to 2019 before moving into administration.
Lopez acknowledged the transition from elementary to middle school leadership, telling the board she is “ready to embrace the uniqueness that middle school brings.”
“I look forward to learning from you guys, building strong relationships, while also honoring the great work that’s already in place,” she said.
The board voted 5-0 to approve her appointment, with the motion made by Parker Destin and seconded by Tim Bryant.
