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Dr. Larry Haynes Named Alabama's 2022 Middle School Principal of the Year

Oak Mountain Middle School Principal Dr. Larry Haynes has been named Alabama's 2022 Middle School Principal of the Year by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP). Sponsored by Horace Mann and Interior Elements.
Feb 1, 2022 by Alyssa Godfrey, CLAS Director of Communications and Technology

Larry Haynes Middle School Principal of the Year 2022Birmingham, Ala. – February 1, 2022:  Dr. Larry Haynes, principal of Oak Mountain Middle School in the Shelby County School System, has been named 2022 Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP).

Haynes has served a total of 35 years in education with the last 20 years in administration. He earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Montevallo in 1986 and an education specialist degree in 1995. In 2017, Haynes received his doctorate in education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The Middle School Principal of the Year award was presented to Haynes on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Oak Mountain Middle School during a schoolwide assembly. Shelby County Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks was in attendance for the presentation. Horace Mann sponsors this award annually and Interior Elements grants an office makeover to the winner.

Haynes has promoted a collaborative culture that finds ways to celebrate the positives and reflect upon lessons learned. As a school leader, he recognizes the need to reevaluate and implement change. Throughout his career, he has focused on providing responsive learning practices that promote learning across disciplines as well as through character education and exploratory programs.

In his doctoral research, Haynes focused on identifying intervention strategies that support middle school students as they transition to high school. Haynes considers these practices his greatest success as a middle school principal. Through this foundation, the school offers before- and after-school tutoring and intervention programs to give students the academic support they need to be successful.

Haynes was chosen from three district finalists. The finalists interviewed with a panel of judges at the AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference in November where the winner was determined. The other finalists were Cicely Curtis of R.B. Hudson STEAM Academy in Selma City Schools and April McCutcheon of Buckhorn Middle School in Madison County Schools.

“I am extremely proud that this honor is being bestowed upon my long-time colleague and friend, Dr. Larry Haynes,” says Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks. “Dr. Haynes is a dedicated professional who is committed to serving his school and community. There is no one that I know of that has a bigger heart for people. Congratulations!”

“In addition to being recognized for this honor, Dr. Haynes has been an active leader through his work in the Alabama Association of Middle School Principals, the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools, and other professional and community organizations” comments CLAS and AASSP Executive Director Dr. Vic Wilson. “He is wholeheartedly dedicated to his school and community.

The Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year Award is sponsored by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals and Horace Mann Companies.  An office makeover is also provided by Interior Elements.

Haynes will be recognized at the Awards Luncheon during the CLAS Convention on June 14, 2022, at the BJCC in Birmingham. The CLAS Convention is the largest gathering of school leaders in the state of Alabama. He will also be recognized at the AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference in November 2022.

About AASSP and CLAS: The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals is an affiliate association of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS).  CLAS is an umbrella association that serves twelve different affiliates comprised of Alabama’s public school administrators.  CLAS is dedicated to providing the framework to connect dedicated school administrators and other successful leaders with a network for professional growth and support.  For more information, visit www.clasleaders.org.

About Horace Mann: Horace Mann helps educators and school employees achieve financial success at every stage of their lives. They understand the importance of staying within a budget. With strategies to reduce student loan debt, secure classroom funding without using personal funds, and insurance program reviews to find savings, they work with educators to maximize hard-earned dollars and develop a path to a successful financial future. Horace Mann is a long-time supporter of CLAS and the sponsor of the Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year award.

About Interior Elements: Interior Elements is a furniture dealer that services the K-12 market. Each year, Interior Elements provides an office makeover for the Alabama High School Principal of the Year.

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