Mrs. Mallory Kincaid, assistant principal at Auburn Junior High School in the Auburn City School System has been named the Alabama Assistant Principal of the Year by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP). As the Alabama state winner, Kincaid will represent Alabama in the 2022 National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Assistant Principal of the Year selection process.

Kincaid has 16 years of experience in the field of education with 3 years experience as an assistant principal. She previously served as an instructional coach at Auburn Junior High School and in Russellville City Schools. From 2013-2015, she was an AMSTI specialist at the University of North Alabama.

The belief that “relationships are the foundation of leadership” has led to the building of a positive school culture and climate at Auburn Junior High School. Kincaid works to build relationships with all stakeholders. By supporting and encouraging teachers as well as ensuring students are academically, socially, and emotionally prepared, Kincaid has influenced the school culture in a way that has helped the school community to overcome hurdles such as teacher burnout, teacher retention, student performance, and overall morale.

Leading Auburn Junior High School through strategic planning has been one of Kincaid’s most instrumental achievements as an assistant principal. By engaging a group of stakeholders, a new school mission, vision, and five-year action plan was developed. The group worked collaboratively to create an intentional plan to move the school forward in teaching and learning, diversity, innovation and technology, and building relationships.

Pineapple Day is another program implemented by Kincaid which has been instrumental in providing powerful professional learning for teachers at Auburn Junior High School. Pineapples are the universal sign of welcome, and the program’s intent is to welcome peer teachers into classrooms to observe. Teachers who were once hesitant to invite peers to observe their classrooms are now excited to be pineapple hosts. This job-embedded professional learning has organically created a collaborative professional learning culture and enhanced teacher efficacy and morale.

A panel of judges selected Kincaid from numerous applicants across the state of Alabama. The surprise announcement was made at a staff Christmas luncheon for the faculty and staff at Auburn Junior High School. She will represent the state as Alabama’s nominee for the National Assistant Principal of the Year award sponsored by NASSP. Kincaid will also serve a one-year term on the AASSP Board of Directors as the Assistant Principal of the Year.

“Mallory Kincaid is the kind of assistant principal that is a true asset to the school and community she serves. Her ability to build relationships that not only influence school culture but also transform problems into opportunities for growth is a trait to be admired,” says Dr. Vic Wilson, AASSP Executive Director.

Photo: Mallory Kincaid named Alabama’s 2023 Assistant Principal of the Year.
Pictured (left to right): Dr. Vic Wilson, CLAS and AASSP Executive Director; Ross Reed, Auburn Junior High School Principal; Mallory Kincaid, AASSP Assistant Principal of the Year and Auburn Junior High School Assistant Principal; David Sikes, AASSP President; Katrina Akers, AASSP Assistant Executive Director; Dr. Duriel Barlow, East Samford School Principal; and Dr. Cristen Herring, Auburn City School Superintendent. [Download Photo]