I am excited to serve as your new Assistant Principal.  Just to give you a little bit of information about myself, I was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  My early education began in the Tuscaloosa City School System.  Upon graduating from Central High School, I attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, Alabama.  I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education, with a minor in Psychology.  

Later, I received my Master's degree in Special Education - Specific Learning Disabilities, from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa AL. In 2005, I received my National Board Certification as an Exceptional Needs Specialist, and was recertified in 2014.  As a believer in life-long learning, I completed my Education Specialist degree at Grand Canyon University in 2014. 

I served as a Special Education Teacher for 21 years at EPIC Alternative Elementary School in Birmingham City Schools district. Throughout my tenure at EPIC, I have served in many capacities, including Lead Special Education Teacher, Lead Mentor Teacher, and part of the Instructional Leadership Team to name a few.  I am grateful for the opportunity to share my expertise at Huffman Academy.  I am committed to helping each scholar soar even higher! 

My favorite quote is "Be yourself; everyone else is taken!" ~ Oscar Wilde 

My favorite children's book is A Hero Ain't Nothing But a Sandwich by Alice Childress.

I have a beautiful daughter, and I am a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  

Every Child Deserves a Champion! - Rita Pearson