Honoring Dr. Heather Fisher’s Legacy While GOAL Looks Ahead Under Rob LeGault’s Leadership

After 30 years in education, Germantown Municipal School District educator and leader Dr. Heather Fisher is preparing to close one chapter and begin another. This summer, Fisher will retire as principal of the Germantown Online Academy of Learning, known as GOAL, after helping guide the innovative virtual school through its formative years and into a sustainable future.

Her career has spanned classrooms, district leadership, advocacy work, and online education innovation. Along the way, she has served students in first, third, fourth, fifth, and seventh grades, spent 15 years in the classroom and 15 years as an administrator, and helped shape educational opportunities for hundreds of students across Germantown and Shelby County.

“It’s been a joy,” Fisher reflected. “I have learned and grown with every student and teacher over the years.”
Before education became her calling, Fisher originally considered careers in fashion design, journalism or law. But after entering the classroom, she quickly discovered a passion for helping students learn and for helping educators grow.

Much of Fisher’s career was rooted at Dogwood Elementary School, where she served in multiple teaching and leadership roles before stepping into administration during the launch of GMSD itself. Along the way, she became known for her thoughtful leadership style, her advocacy for teachers, and her ability to see potential in others before they saw it in themselves.

Ironically, Fisher says that same encouragement once changed the course of her own career.
“I became a school administrator because other people saw something in me,” she reflected during a recent interview. “That’s really what I feel like a big part of our job is — to look for the hidden talents that people have and help bring it out.”

Throughout her career, Fisher witnessed education transform dramatically. While technology certainly changed classrooms, she believes one of the biggest shifts has been the collaborative support now offered to educators.

“When I started out, you really didn’t see the principal very often unless something bad was going on,” Fisher said with a laugh. “Now, there are so many more touches that are collaborative and supportive.”
Over the years, Fisher accumulated many proud moments, from being named Shelby County’s Elementary Teacher of the Year to publishing academic work while earning her doctorate. Still, some of her proudest accomplishments came during her time leading GOAL.

When the virtual school launched in 2021, many families enrolled because of uncertainty and fear surrounding the pandemic. Five years later, Fisher says the reasons families choose GOAL have evolved.
“Now it’s about flexibility and choice,” she explained. “Families are choosing what best fits their child and their needs.”

Under Fisher’s leadership, GOAL grew beyond simply online coursework. She intentionally worked to create experiences and relationships for students and families through community partnerships, enrichment opportunities, game nights, cooking experiences, breakfasts, and in-person learning events.
“It’s all about the relationships and the connections,” Fisher said. “That’s the bottom line.”

Her leadership philosophy often centered around slowing down enough to truly meet student needs.
“The main thing is the main thing, and it’s the kids,” she said. “There’s nothing standardized about a child or a teacher.”

Outside of school, Fisher became well known among colleagues and students for another member of the GOAL team: Presley, her dog and unofficial “co-worker,” who occasionally appeared during virtual meetings and became a running joke during remote learning days.

Fisher also served as president of the Shelby County Education Association during one of the most significant transitions in local education history: the merger of Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools.  Now, her career in education has come full circle.

As she looks toward retirement, Fisher plans to continue serving students and public education through a new role on the Germantown Board of Education and through broader community involvement.  She is also excited for more flexibility, travel, and time at home.

“I love the idea of being able to take what I know about public education and share that expertise,” she said.

THE NEXT CHAPTER FOR GOAL

As Fisher steps into retirement, GOAL’s next chapter will be led by a familiar face in Germantown Municipal School District. Rob LeGault will assume leadership of the program while also serving in a newly expanded district role connected to TISA and district compliance work.

LeGault brings more than two decades of educational experience to the position, including leadership roles at both Houston High School and Farmington Elementary School. A graduate of Wright State University and Trevecca Nazarene University, LeGault has served as an assistant principal in GMSD since the district’s earliest years, building a reputation for organization, student advocacy, and innovative problem-solving.
Throughout his career, LeGault has overseen everything from master scheduling and professional development to RTI² systems, Section 504 programming, transportation, athletics, and school safety initiatives. His background also includes extensive work in special education programming, data systems, intervention supports, and student-centered scheduling designed to meet the needs of a wide range of learners.

“I’m incredibly honored to follow Dr. Fisher and continue the work she has started at GOAL,” LeGault said. “She built a program that truly focuses on meeting students where they are, and I’m excited to continue growing those opportunities for families.”

District leaders say the transition comes at an important time for GOAL, which has evolved significantly since its launch during the pandemic. While many districts across the country eliminated virtual programs altogether, GOAL adapted by refining its focus and scaling enrollment to better meet student needs for the 2026-27 school year.

Beginning this fall, the program will transition into a more focused sixth- through 12th-grade model designed to serve a smaller cohort of students seeking flexibility, personalized pacing, alternative scheduling options, and innovative learning opportunities.

LeGault’s hybrid position reflects that evolution. In addition to leading GOAL, he will continue supporting districtwide work connected to compliance, educational funding structures, and TISA-related initiatives. The position is designed to maximize district resources while ensuring GOAL remains sustainable, innovative, and responsive to student needs.

“I think families today are looking for flexibility, personalization, and strong support systems,” LeGault said. “GOAL has already built a strong foundation, and I’m excited to help shape what the next phase can look like for our students.”

Fisher says she is excited to see the program continue to grow under LeGault’s leadership.
“I look forward to seeing the next leader of GOAL come in and personalize it based upon where he wants to take it next,” Fisher said.

District leaders believe LeGault’s operational experience, relationship-centered leadership style, and understanding of student support systems make him a natural fit for the role as GOAL enters its next phase.