0813 Wes Gordon
New VHHS Principal Wes Gordon reads to a fourth grade class at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central.
On July 1, Wes Gordon assumed his role as principal of Vestavia Hills High School. Gordon was named for the position after serving in the Central Office of Vestavia Hills and in all eight schools across all grade levels.
In his career, he has mentored AP Calculus teachers from across the state, conducted book studies with kindergarten teachers, facilitated literacy workshops for teachers of all content areas, and presented at local, state, and national conferences.
Most recently, Gordon served as director of curriculum and instruction in Vestavia Hills High School while forging strong relationships with the other seven schools and administrators in the district. Having worked with and in all the schools, he knows what it takes to get students fully prepared for high school.
What kind of support have you received since word got out that you would be taking over as principal?
I think my favorite response was that of a teacher who told me he knew exactly why I was going to be good as a principal at the high school. His reason? There is a school full of teachers who are going to make sure I succeed. I am both humbled and challenged by the support I have been shown.
Did you know Principal Cas McWaters well? What was your relationship with him like?
Cas McWaters hired me as a teacher at the high school and was the best principal I ever served under as a teacher. Since I moved to the Central Office, the context of our relationship changed, but I continue to have great respect for him as both a person and an educator. I have watched the very best of Cas McWaters, and no one can compare to him when he is at his best. You cannot help but like, even love, Cas McWaters when you watch him in his element.
Will you be a principal that the students will know and recognize, or will you lead your school in the background?
I don’t want to be a “Bigfoot” principal, with rumors of my existence coupled with sightings evidenced with fuzzy photographs. I have the feeling my shaved head and dark glasses will be easily recognized around the school.
As principal at the high school, how do you plan to balance the importance of each field of curriculum while still ensuring the students have an enjoyable high school experience?
Those two ideas are not mutually exclusive. Vestavia’s big secret for a great student life is the involvement of its teachers in the lives of students at the school. Your coach just might be your science teacher, or your club sponsor could be your English teacher. Our teachers understand the importance of curriculum for the educational goals of students to be met, but also understand the importance of the social development of high school students, particularly in the areas of service and character.
Will there be any immediate changes to Vestavia Hills worth mentioning in the first year of your tenure?
Probably the greatest change to happen my first year as principal is the completion of the parking lot. If you do not think that is a big deal, then you have not driven to Vestavia Hills High School in the last few years.
In your high school days, did you ever think you would one day become a principal of a high school?
Absolutely not! In high school, I didn’t even want to be a teacher. I was a smart guy. And like so many other guys good at math, I became an engineering major as a freshman in college. Too many long hours in the computer lab helped me make the decision to switch majors to mathematics. I took English classes for fun and finished with a minor in English. I just could not see myself doing what I saw friends doing with their math degrees, so I enrolled in a master’s education program. I found my passion and have not regretted it since.
