MPS hires five new principals - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Five principal candidates were named to fill administrative vacancies during Wednesday's Montgomery County Board of Education meeting. Four have experience with MPS and one is a new principal to the district.  

MPS Superintendent Barbara W. Thompson commented on the new hires.  

"These candidates impressed me with their enthusiasm and passion for helping students," commented Superintendent Thompson. "Each one demonstrated a willingness to move into their schools and make a difference from the first day. All are committed to increasing student achievement and parental involvement."  

Wilanie Covington is being recommended as the new principal at Carver Elementary. She has been an employee of MPS since 2002 and most recently served as assistant principal at Fitzpatrick Elementary and McKee Middle Schools. Ms. Covington also served as an assistant principal for Forest Avenue Magnet School from 2005-11 and E.D. Nixon Elementary School from 2010-11.  She is an adjunct professor at both Alabama State University and Trenholm State Technical College. She earned bachelors and masters degrees, and master certification from Alabama State University and an educational specialist degree from Troy University. 

Meredith Bishop has been recommended to be the principal of Goodwyn Middle School. For the past year Ms. Bishop has worked as the curriculum instructional assistant at Georgia Washington Middle School. Since 2000 she has served as an assistant principal at Lee High, Blount Elementary, and Georgia Washington Middle Schools. She brings a strong background and experience working with special education populations. Ms. Bishop earned her bachelors, certification in educational leadership, and masters degrees from Auburn University Montgomery.  

Ibrahim Lee has been recommended as the principal at Floyd Elementary. Mr. Lee is the curriculum instructional specialist at Bellingrath Middle School. He has also served as a teacher in the system since 2005 at both the elementary and middle school levels. He taught at Harrison, Highland Avenue Elementary and Bellingrath Middle school. He has been recognized by the state for his teaching abilities. Mr. Lee earned his masters and bachelors degrees from Alabama State University.      

Rafiq Vaughn has been recommended as the new principal at Southlawn Middle School. Mr. Vaughn joins MPS after working in Nashville, TN schools since 2004. He has been the Freshman Academy principal of Stratford STEM Magnet High since 2009. He also served as assistant principal of White Creek High School in Nashville. Mr. Vaughn served for eight years as an adjunct professor for Tennessee State University.  He holds educational specialist and masters degrees from Tennessee State University and a bachelors from Hiram College. Mr. Vaughn brings a strong math background. He is currently working on a doctorate from Tennessee State University. 

Bobby Abrams, Jr., has been recommended to be a principal at Capital Heights Middle School. Mr. Abrams served MPS as principal of Lanier High School and McKee Junior High. He has worked as principal of Southside Middle School in Tallassee and the principal at Tallassee High School. Before entering education, Mr. Abrams was an NFL football player with the Giants, Cowboys, Browns, Vikings and Patriots. He began as a teacher in 1997 in Selma. He has a bachelors degree from the University of Michigan, masters and education specialist degrees from Alabama State University, and he is pursuing his doctorate from Walden University.   

"I am pleased we have completed assembling our administrative team," added Superintendent Thompson. "This will allow our new principals to begin working in their schools and preparing for the new school year."

INFORMATION SOURCE: Montgomery Public School System