Heather Bardwell Named 2025-2026 Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year

Huntsville, AL – November 24, 2025: Mrs. Heather Renee Bardwell, principal of Mountain Gap Middle School in Huntsville City Schools, has been named the 2025-2026 Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP). The Alabama Middle School Principal Year Award is sponsored annually by Horace Mann.

Mrs. Bardwell brings 26 years of service in education, including 22 years in administrative leadership across multiple schools and grade levels. She has led Mountain Gap Middle School since 2019 and previously served as principal of Mountain Gap P-8 and Weatherly Heights Elementary, as well as an assistant principal at Whitesburg Middle School. Her long-standing commitment to the Mountain Gap community has helped her build deep connections with students, staff, and families.

Throughout her 15 years as a principal, Bardwell has remained dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and academically focused school. She believes strongly in fostering a school culture where every student feels valued, supported, and capable of success. Under her leadership, Mountain Gap Middle School has seen significant improvements in academic performance, attendance, climate, and overall school culture. The school’s state report card score has risen from a low B to an A, chronic absenteeism has been cut nearly in half, and discipline referrals have declined as engagement and achievement have increased across all student groups.

A cornerstone of Bardwell’s leadership is Mountain Gap’s weekly advisory program, which has become a driving force behind the school’s growth. Each week, students participate in a thirty-minute advisory period that includes monthly Town Hall meetings focused on goals, data, and celebrations of progress. The advisory structure is closely connected to the school’s House System, a key component of Mountain Gap’s culture that fosters collaboration, accountability, and belonging across grade levels. Through house competitions, service activities, and shared celebrations, students build strong relationships and a sense of pride in their school community.

The advisory program also integrates elements of the school’s PBIS framework, including Golden Bucket awards and SRO Challenge Coins that recognize positive behavior and service. Together, these intentional practices have created a consistent, student-centered culture that supports both academic and personal growth while reinforcing the school’s mission to “Learn. Grow. Achieve. Ready for the future.” Bardwell’s commitment to transparency and collaboration has also strengthened family and community partnerships, further advancing her vision for a thriving and unified school environment.

“Heather Bardwell is a model of excellence in middle school leadership,” said Dr. Farrell Seymore, executive director of CLAS and AASSP. “Her focus on relationships, culture, and high-quality instruction has created an environment where students and teachers thrive. We are proud to honor her remarkable contributions to Huntsville City Schools and to public education across our state.”

Mrs. Bardwell will represent Alabama in the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Middle School Principal of the Year program, where she will join other state honorees from across the nation.

(For more information, please contact Alyssa Godfrey, CLAS Director of Communications, at 334.265.3610 or at alyssa@clasleaders.org)