Resumes for Walker County Schools’ two newest principals read like biographies in the “Who’s Who of High School Principals.”

“I am honored to name two such excellent principals to these schools,” said Walker County Schools Superintendent Melissa Mathis as she announced Robert Smith to Ridgeland and Roger Hibbs to LaFayette High. following school board confirmation Thursday night.

ROGER HIBBS, who comes to LaFayette from Chattooga High School, is a veteran educator and administrator with 31 years experience in high schools. He holds a bachelor of science degree and a master’s of education in leadership and administration.

Smith, who is leaving his alma mater of Soddy-Daisy High School, brings to Ridgeland 35 years of service in public education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in secondary administration.

Both professionals are highly accomplished and respected. “They are seasoned veterans that bring depth to the leadership and will advance the vision of education in Walker County,” said Mathis. “Each of them is nationally recognized for their leadership and regularly provide their insights and knowledge for the development of leadership and school improvement to a wide variety of audiences,” she said.

Hibbs is a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders and the Georgia Association of Secondary Principals. He was named Modern Woodmen of the World “Man of the Year,” a presenter at state and national conferences, a member of the Alabama State Superintendent’s Task Force for Improving Education, and president of his District of Secondary Principals as well as Alabama State Coach of the Year.

“I would like to thank Mrs. Mathis and the Walker County Board of Education for this wonderful opportunity,” said Hibbs. “I look forward to working with the faculty and staff at LaFayette High School. Hopefully, working together as a TEAM, we can build on LaFayette High's accomplishments and become the BEST high school in the state of Georgia.”

ROBERT SMITH is a member of the Tennessee and National Educational Associations, the Tennessee and National Associations of Secondary School Principals, and the Hamilton County Principal’s Association. In 2006, he received the William J. and Lucille H. Field Award for Excellence in Secondary School Leadership and Hamilton County’s Principal of the Year Award. He was also inducted into the Josten’s Renaissance Hall of Fame for improving academic achievement and chosen a Tennessee Department of Education State Principal of the Year finalist as well as inducted into the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletic Hall of Fame.

“I personally feel that this is a wonderful career opportunity,” said Smith “What I’ve seen and heard about Ridgeland and its student body reminds me of Soddy-Daisy High, so I feel my position there is a good fit. Ridgeland’s administrative staff is a real plus, and I look forward to working with them all. We will do our best to provide the best possible support to the teaching staff at Ridgeland.”

Praise for both principals

Superintendent Mathis explained the recruiting process began with consulting with the Georgia Leadership Academy and following their Eight Roles of Leaders established as the standard in Walker County Schools for the past two years.

“These two principals provide a well-matched fit with the individual schools and their community culture,” said Mathis. They were selected by a panel of 16 consisting of administrators, teachers, parents, and business partners with the superintendent, personnel director and instructional staff. The panel reviewed a wide field of highly qualified applicants and interviewed 11 from which they selected the top two who best aligned with Walker County Schools’ vision for student achievement and success, according to Mathis.

“Curriculum has changed in the last two years,” said Hibbs. “Gone are the QCC’s, being replaced by performance standards. The principal needs to work closely with the various departments developing curriculum,” he said and emphasized that instruction is the key to learning.

Smith said his primary focus is academics, but he’s also an exceptionally strong advocate of athletics and all extra curricular activities for a well-rounded educational experience. “My desire is to have a top program in all areas. I’m anxious to work with the whole school community to continue providing excellence in education for its children,” he said.

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