These 18 Montgomery public schools have new principals. Here's the list

Hadley Hitson, Montgomery Advertiser
Updated ·7 min read

As families across Alabama begin preparing for the new school year, teachers and administrators in Montgomery Public Schools are doing the same.

This year, the district welcomes at least 18 new principals. Some have worked in MPS before, some are being promoted from assistant principal at their schools and others are brand new to the area.

MPS started announcing the leadership changes back in June, and with the start of the school year nearing, the Montgomery Advertiser compiled a list of some of the newest principals. They will welcome Montgomery students back to school in just under three weeks on Aug. 10.

Here are 18 MPS schools headed into the 2023-24 academic year with changes in the top administrative role:

Students unload from the bus before the first day at Brewbaker Middle School in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022.
Students unload from the bus before the first day at Brewbaker Middle School in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022.

Baldwin Arts and Academics Magnet School

Longtime educator Kimberly Copeland is the new principal at Baldwin Arts and Academics Magnet School.

After graduating with her bachelor's degree from Auburn University at Montgomery, Copeland started her career as an English teacher with MPS. She has worked across grade levels and schools, from the formerly named Jefferson Davis High School (now, Johnson, Abernathy and Graetz High School) to Georgia Washington Middle School (which later became Pike Road High School).

Copeland also recently served as assistant principal at Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook and earned her master's in educational leadership and administration from the University of West Alabama.

Brewbaker Intermediate School

April Scott is the new principal at Brewbaker Intermediate School.

She comes to the position after several years as Seth Johnson Elementary School's assistant principal. Scott has previously received recognition for her efforts to meet the needs of children in her school, and in March 2021, MPS honored her with an Employee of the Month award.

The Johnson Elementary principal at the time called her a “hard-working, innovative and dedicated educator” who is indispensable.

Brewbaker Middle School

Natasha Starr is Brewbaker Middle School's new principal for the 2023-24 school year.

She previously served as the principal of Brewbaker Intermediate for a number of years, and in 2022, Alabama State University gave her a 50 Under 50 award.

Brewbaker Primary School

Tiffany Scissum will serve as the principal of Brewbaker Primary School starting this year.

She took her first job with MPS in 2004, and over the years, she worked her way to the principal position. Previously, Scissum served as the principal of Floyd Elementary School, and when the interim-state superintendent ordered the school closed in 2018, Scissum moved into the principal role at Seth Johnson Elementary.

That's where she has served the community for the last five years, before hopping over to Brewbaker Primary.

Then-Seth Johnson Elementary School principal Tiffany Scissum greets a school bus as students arrive for the first day of in person classes at the school in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday October 13, 2020. She is now the principal at Brewbaker Primary School.
Then-Seth Johnson Elementary School principal Tiffany Scissum greets a school bus as students arrive for the first day of in person classes at the school in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday October 13, 2020. She is now the principal at Brewbaker Primary School.

Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School

Jason Norred is the new principal of BrewTech.

This change is a promotion for Norred, who has previously worked at the school as the assistant principal. According to his LinkedIn profile, Norred has a combined 25 years of experience at MPS.

After spending some years working for the City of Montgomery's Parks and Recreation Department, he earned his master's degree from Auburn University at Montgomery and moved into a teaching position. From there, he worked his way up.

Jason Norred is now the principal of Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School after years as the assistant principal.
Jason Norred is now the principal of Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School after years as the assistant principal.

Johnnie Carr Middle School

Sylvia Goshton is the new principal of Johnnie Carr Middle School.

She moves into the position after a stint serving as the grade assistant principal at the former Jefferson Davis High School (which has since been renamed as Johnson, Abernathy and Graetz High School).

Goshton is originally from Dothan and has earned degrees from both Auburn University at Montgomery and Alabama State University.

Sylvia Goshton speaks as the Jeff Davis High School Youth in Government Club hosts an education Summit at the school in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday January 17, 2019.
Sylvia Goshton speaks as the Jeff Davis High School Youth in Government Club hosts an education Summit at the school in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday January 17, 2019.

Carver Elementary and Arts Magnet School

Angela Sampson is the new principal of Carver Elementary and Arts Magnet School.

She is a Montgomery native, and after graduating from an MPS high school, she went on to earn multiple degrees in education from Alabama State University, Troy University in Montgomery, Auburn University at Montgomery and National University.

Sampson has also served as the principal of several schools in her career, including Pintlala Elementary, MacMillan and Highland Gardens Elementary.

Dannelly Elementary School

Aundria Sewell is the new principal of Dannelly Elementary School.

This year, she was promoted from assistant principal at Dannelly. Her other experience within MPS includes some time working at Halcyon Elementary School.

Seth Johnson Elementary School

Demond Mullins is the new principal at Johnson Elementary School.

He previously served as the principal of Jefferson Davis High School, which has since been renamed after Judge Frank M. Johnson and civil rights icons Ralph Abernathy and the Rev. Robert Graetz.

Mullins recently hosted a welcome session and meet-ant-greet to introduce himself to the parents and students of Johnson Elementary.

Johnson, Abernathy & Graetz (JAG) High School

Carlos Hammonds is the new principal of JAG High School, the high school that was previously named for Jefferson Davis.

MPS decided to rename the school in 2020 following a summer of protests surrounding George Floyd's death, and in November 2022, the new name was decided. This will be the first full school year operating under the new name and Hammonds' leadership.

Previously, Hammonds has served as the assistant principal and athletic director at Huffman High School in Birmingham.

Sidney Lanier High School

Cynthia Tucker is the new principal of Sidney Lanier High School.

Tucker was promoted from assistant principal at the school, and she is an alumna of Auburn University at Montgomery.

McIntyre Comprehensive Academy

Tavien Feaster is the new principal of McIntyre Comprehensive Academy.

He graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery in 2003 after completing his student teaching with MPS, and he went on to earn a master's degree in business administration from South University in 2010.

Feaster spent time teaching fourth grade at a Howard Road Academy Charter School in Washington, D.C., before returning to Montgomery. Recently, he also served as Goodwyn Middle School's athletic director.

Montgomery Preparatory Academy for Career Technologies (MPACT)

Ken Britford is the new principal at MPACT.

He comes to MPS from Pike County Schools, where he served as the principal of Pike County High School. Britford has earned degrees in education from Alabama State University and Auburn University at Montgomery. He also completed a program for educational leadership at Georgia College and State University, and he attended the Superintendents’ Academy at the University of Alabama.

Thelma Smiley Morris Elementary School

Tameka Shepherd is the new principal of Morris Elementary School.

She was promoted this year from an assistant principal position there. In September of 2021, MPS recognized her important contributions to Morris and awarded her an Employee of the Month award.

Percy Julian High School

Ibrahim Lee is the inaugural principal of Percy Julian High School, which will replace Robert E. Lee High School.

The school was renamed last year, and MPS is in the process of planning and designing a new building that will be on North Eastern Boulevard.

Lee, the new principal, recently served as principal of the Montgomery area charter school LEAD Academy. The school's board members voted against retaining him after less than a year on the job, and they did not specify a reason.

Before that, Lee worked for MPS in various positions, including as principal at Floyd Elementary. He also served as the director of Montgomery Community Action Head Start.

Pintlala Elementary School

Jasmine Deese is the new principal of Pintlala Elementary School.

She previously served as assistant principal at Garrett Elementary School in MPS, and her former school took to social media to congratulate her on the job.

"Mrs. Deese was an extraordinary Assistant Principal who worked tirelessly to make everyday special for everyone within our building and for that we say thank you," stated a tweet from Garrett Elementary. "Congratulations and we wish you all the best of luck in this new endeavor!'

Deese is an alumna of Auburn University at Montgomery.

Southlawn Middle School

Victor Davis is the new principal at Southlawn Middle School.

He is an alumnus of both Alabama State University and Auburn University at Montgomery. Davis previously served as assistant principal of McKee Middle School.

Vaughn Road Elementary School

Nykeya Jackson is the new principal of Vaughn Road Elementary School.

She has 20 years of experience in education and is an alumna of Alabama State University and Auburn University at Montgomery. Jackson previously worked at Davis Elementary and Morris Elementary, and she has also helped run the MPS Summer Learning Program.

Hadley Hitson covers children's health, education and welfare for the Montgomery Advertiser. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to the Advertiser.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery Public Schools hire 18 new principals for 2023-24