VIDALIA — On Thursday evening the Concordia Parish School Board named Joyce Ivory as the new assistant principal of Ferriday Upper Elementary School.

While Ivory was the lone applicant for the position, Superintendent Loretta Blankenstein said that should not detract from her accomplishment.

“I think she’ll do a great job,” Blankenstein said. “She has a love for kids and she’ll be a valuable asset.”

Ivory, who has been a teacher at Ferriday High School since 2003, said she is looking forward to her new job and a new school year.

“I want to let parents and students know that I’ll be there for them,” she said.

Ivory said she recently earned a master’s degree in administration and plans to focus on preparing students for state testing.

Cindy Smith, the school’s principal, said Ivory did an excellent job of acting as principal for the school’s summer school program.

“She provides a lot of encouraging to the students and the teachers,” Smith said. “That’s important.”