Russellville, Ala, January 3, 2023 – Mr. Tony Bonds, principal of Russellville Middle School in the Russellville City School System, has been named the 2023 Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP).

Bonds has served a total of 13 years in the field of education with the last 5 years in administration. He earned a master’s degree from Bethel University in 2014 and is currently working on his doctorate in educational leadership at Liberty University. Bonds began his career as an educator and coach at West Carroll High School then at Henry County High School. In 2018, he transitioned to administration as the assistant principal at Russellville Middle School and was named principal in 2019.

The Middle School Principal of the Year Award was presented to Bonds on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at Russellville Middle School. Russellville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Heath Grimes was in attendance for the presentation. Horace Mann sponsors this award annually. An office makeover will be provided by Interior Elements.

While growing up in Russellville, Mr. Bonds did not remain there. His experiences outside the Russellville area have given him a broader perspective and allowed him to bring many new ideas back to the school system. A product of the Russellville City School system, Bonds recognizes the continuous changes to the community while appreciating and honoring the rich culture and traditions that remain.

A commonsense approach to school leadership is what Bonds brought to Russellville Middle School. By adapting schedules to accommodate the large English Language Learner population, the school was able to increase the number of students meeting their ACCESS target scores by 20% in two years. The adaptation also allowed the school to refocus its efforts on math proficiency which was reflected on the school’s ACAP scores for 2021-2022.

School culture at Russellville Middle School has also been impacted by Bonds’ leadership. Teachers are now being coached during Coffee House Coaching rather than during their planning time. Using peer-reviewed common assessments, Bonds led the effort to develop collaborative teaching in grade levels and core content areas. Another focus area for Bonds was serving the community by including community members in enrichment activities as well as service projects.

Celebrating staff and students has also contributed to an increased sense of morale. Teachers receive brag boxes to celebrate their successes. It is not unusual for Bonds to surprise the teachers by providing a massage therapist for the day or by setting up a coffee bar with snacks and meals to show his appreciation. Students are rewarded with fun activities such as school dances and inflatable parties.

Bonds was chosen from three district finalists. Each finalist interviewed with a panel of judges at the AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference in November where the Middle School Principal of the Year was determined. The other finalists were Desaree Jackson, principal of Calera Middle School in the Shelby County School System, and Kyle Pinckard, principal of Boaz Middle School in the Boaz City School System.

“I am ecstatic that someone as deserving as Mr. Bonds is being recognized as the Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year. There is no one more deserving than Mr. Bonds. He is an amazing principal; a natural-born leader. He loves the students, loves the job, and loves Russellville. He has built a culture of support and collaboration and the love for him is obvious from teachers, staff, students, and community,” said Dr. Heath Grimes, Russellville City Schools superintendent.

“Congratulations to Tony Bonds on being named the Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year,” comments Dr. Vic Wilson, CLAS and AASSP executive director. “His dedication to creating a positive and inclusive learning environment for his students is truly inspiring. Well-deserved recognition for a leader who truly makes a difference.”

Bonds will be recognized at the Awards Luncheon during the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS) Convention on June 13, 2023, at the Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala. 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 2023.

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 Middle School Principal of the Year.

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Photo (left to right): Dr. Vic Wilson, CLAS and AASSP Executive Director; Dr. Heath Grimes, Russellville City Schools Superintendent; Mr. Tony Bonds, Russellville Middle School Principal and 2023 Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year; and Ms. Hayley Ezell, Horace Mann Representative.
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