Two Olentangy Local School District elementary schools are under new leadership for the start of the 2012-13 school year.

Teresa Goins is the new principal at Alum Creek Elementary School, replacing Heather Habrecht.

At Olentangy Meadows Elementary School, Kristin Baker has stepped in to replace former principal Jennifer Denny.

Goins joined the district this year after six years working in Buckeye Valley schools as an elementary school principal.

"You really get the feeling of community here in Olentangy," she said. "The transition has gone smoothly, my staff is just fabulous and the kids are phenomenal."

Goins, 50, started her education career as a middle school math teacher. She went on to become assistant principal at an elementary school in Springfield before moving to central Ohio.

She said she was "looking for something a little different" when she joined the Olentangy district, and is now looking forward to leading a larger school, with more students enrolled, than she has in the past.

She's not the only fresh face in the buildings this year. Alum Creek has a new guidance counselor, a new first-grade teacher and two new intervention specialists.

Now that the school year has begun, Goins said she's eager to meet parents and get to know them.

"I want to thank them for being so welcoming, and I would just encourage them to feel free to stop by and chat any time," she said.

She currently commutes from Marysville, where she lives with her husband, but the couple is looking to relocate closer to the district. They have two children who currently attend college.

Meanwhile, Baker is leading Olentangy Meadows in her first year as principal.

She previously served for four years as assistant principal at Tyler Run Elementary School, where she said she got to take the lead role last year when Principal Jennifer Mazza was out for six months on maternity leave.

"I got some good practice, so I feel very ready and prepared for the job," she said. "I'm very excited to be here."

Baker, 37, grew up in Pickaway, then taught in Dallas for three years before moving back to central Ohio to join the Olentangy district.

In the new school year, she said she's eager to work with her new staff.

"They're so dedicated and such great professionals," she said. "They're constantly trying to improve themselves to meet the needs of our students."

Baker is just one half of the school's brand-new administrative team this year. Mo Ross is the school's new assistant principal.

Olentangy Meadows has no new teachers this year.

Baker encouraged parents to stop in and say hello.

"They're always very welcome to come in and introduce themselves," she said.

She lives in Lewis Center with her husband and two children, both of whom attend Olentangy schools.