Greetings,

I was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. I attended Birmingham Southern College where I earned my B.S. in Elementary Education. After graduating, I accepted a teaching position at Gibson Elementary School, which was within the Birmingham City Schools System. While teaching, I earned my M.A. in Educational Leadership at Alabama State University and Ed.S from Arkansas State University. 

I taught elementary school for 10 years, mostly teaching students who struggled because of learning disabilities, a language barrier, or a lack of educational continuity. I loved the challenge of not only winning the kids over but of getting them excited about learning. Leaving the classroom was a difficult decision, but I did so because I knew I wanted to help other teachers become better at their craft. I moved from an Assistant Principal to an Instructional Leader at Barrett Elementary School. I am starting my Principalship as we transition back to school after the pandemic. As I embark upon the upcoming school year, my focus will be on reopening and safely running the school, as I lead teachers in development and growth. I thrive on learning both personally and professionally. I am constantly searching for and thinking of ways to improve my abilities as a leader and my teachers’ abilities as educators. Looking forward to meeting everyone. 

 Principal Lawson