Madison High's new principal Kevin Huskins discusses his vision: 'big shoes to fill'

MARSHALL - Though Kevin Huskins admits he has "big shoes to fill" as his friend David Robinson's successor as Madison High principal, his track record, which includes 11 years as principal at Mountain Heritage High School in Yancey County, suggests he is up for the task.

Robinson died unexpectedly Jan. 25 of a stomach aneurysm.

Huskins,44, has worked in education for 23 years, serving 11 years at East Yancey Middle School before working as principal at Mountain Heritage.

"Madison County has phenomenal people that are vested in education," Huskins said. "We're excited to come over and work with them, and try to help educate our students and our kids."

Huskins and his wife, Marshay, the principal at Mars Hill Elementary, have four children: Jasmine,11; Gracie, 12; Malachi, 14; and Logan, 18.

In detailing some of his goals for his tenure, the new MHS principal said he wants to provide opportunities for access to all students.

"I'm a huge supporter of public education," Huskins said. "I think it's so important that every student has the opportunity to learn. I feel like high school is a time when teaching and learning are on the forefront every day, and in every situation that we're in. That's just kind of who I am. We want to create the best opportunity for kids, and that's what we're hoping to do at Madison High School, is give kids hope and give them opportunities."

Following Robinson's death, Rhonda Cuthbertson served as the school's interim principal.

While working as principal at Mountain Heritage, Huskins said he and Robinson often collaborated and exchanged ideas, and formed a strong friendship throughout their years working as principals at the respective schools.

"Being high school principals and having the amount of free time we had, we talked regularly, probably a few times a semester," Huskins said. "Dr. Robinson was a phenomenal man, and he was certainly a great advocate for students. He and I bounced ideas off each other all the time about what we were doing at each other's schools.

"He was actually at Mountain Heritage in fall (2021), and he and I traveled around the school, walked the campus and talked about things that were going on, and things that he wanted to emulate, as well as things that he wanted to share with me. I just enjoyed talking with him. He was such a versatile guy - from education to music, and from his church responsibilities to his school responsibilities, he took care of everyone."

A Madison High-affiliated Facebook group announced Huskins' hiring in a June 3 post, and a number of residents expressed their approval of the move.

"I had the privilege of working with Mr. Huskins when he was the assistant principal and principal at Mountain Heritage for a few years before I began at Madison," Madison FFA Adviser Chad Ayers said in the comments. "He is a man of faith and integrity, with drive and determination for things to be done with excellence while having the best interest for students and staff at heart. I believe he will be a perfect fit for our school and community and look forward to his leadership."

Superintendent Will Hoffman said he is excited to welcome Huskins as the new principal of Madison High School.

"He brings a wealth of experience and positive energy to our school system as well as a strong focus on student achievement," Hoffman said. "The interview committee, comprised of teachers, school administrators and district administrators, were very impressed with Mr. Huskins and feel that he is a great fit for Madison High School. As superintendent, he has my complete support.”

Huskins said the community and administration's support means a lot to him, as "you can't do the job if you don't have (the support)."

"I call it 'collective efficacy,'" he said. "We have to have that triple approach where the students, faculty and community - especially the parents - all buy in together. It's what makes the school have the ability to work well. If any one of those prongs aren't invested, then it's not going to be as successful as it could be."

Huskins met with members of Mars Hill University and Madison County Schools on June 8. He said he is excited to embark on his journey as MHS's next principal.

"I'm just really excited to get the opportunity to work with the students, staff and also the community and the parents to see what we can do to help improve Madison County Schools and Madison High School to help kids learn and grow," he said. "That's what it's all about. I certainly have some big shoes to fill following up after Dr. Robinson.

"I'm excited to get to work with the folks here, and see how we can build a stronger connection and stronger relationships with the people. I think that's what the basis of education is, relationships, and trying to cultivate that culture of learning and education. We certainly want to do everything we can to support kids. That's all we want to be about."

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Madison High's new principal Kevin Huskins discusses his vision