After six years at Pike Liberal Arts School, Assistant Headmaster Dee Bennett is leaving.

“Call it a transition,” Bennett said. “We’re not leaving for good. We’ll be back for football games and Troy Fest and for all the good things in the community.”

Bennett has taken a job as headmaster of The Lakeside School in Eufaula, the city where her husband Jason grew up and where she started her career.

Originally from Carollton, Ga., Bennett said the distance from home and a wonderful scholarship drew her to Troy University where she received a degree in early childhood education.

Bennett became a kindergarten teacher in Eufaula after graduation and returned to Troy to pursue a degree in psychometry. She then was hired by Troy City Schools as a psychometrist.

“I had a wonderful experience there,” Bennett said, adding that a special education coordinator for the city schools suggested she go back to school for an administrator degree.

“When I was finished, Pike Liberal Arts was looking for school administrators. That was back in 2006,” Bennett said.

Ceil Sikes, headmaster at PLAS, was also hired in 2006.

“We have worked here for six years together,” Sikes said. “She’s done a fantastic job and has done everything I’ve asked of her with great spirit.”

Some of Bennett’s duties at PLAS included heading up technology, elementary curriculum, discipline issues for grades 4 -8, field trips, assemblies and Accelerated Reader.

Bennett said she will stay on at Pike Liberal Arts until May 18, the last day of school. She said she felt that was the best thing for the students at both schools, to transition during the summer.

“I am very excited about a new change, a positive change. It’s comforting to know we are familiar with the community and know so many families there, already,” Bennett said.

Bennett said it was her time at PLAS that has made her feel capable to succeed in her new position.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling. It’s sweet to know you are so loved, but hard to leave friends,” Bennett said.

Bennett, her husband Jason, and her two daughters Bailey and Betsy will be visiting Eufaula this weekend in preparation for their move.

She will begin at Lakeside on June 1.