Dr. Sonya Ptah has more than 25 years experience in education and has been the principal of East Middle School since 2006. Prior to coming to Hazelwood, she served as an assistant principal at both the middle and high school levels in the Lindbergh School District. Ptah also served five years as an assistant principal in the Special School District. She has experience teaching children and adults who have special needs and coordinated educational programs for the St. Louis County Family Court.

She has a Bachelor of Science degree in special education from University of Missouri, and a Master of Science degree in educational administration and Doctorate of Education degree from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville.