Brooks named new Wetumpka Elementary School principal

Myeshia Brooks is no stranger to the halls of Wetumpka Elementary School. But starting July 1 she will start a new role at the school as principal.

Brooks has been an assistant principal at the school since 2021 and follows Gigi Hankins who is headed to the Elmore County Board of Education central office.

Like so many educators, Brooks has always felt a calling to teach.

“I've always been educationally inclined,” Brooks said. “I was the little girl in class who was always trying to take the teacher's resources home for the summer so I could line my Barbies up and teach them.”

A few years later while in high school Brooks found herself pulled to the elementary school to tutor younger students.

“I couldn't believe they were paying me to do something I enjoyed doing,” Brooks said.

Brooks majored in elementary education and taught in Fairfield for eight years before moving to Montgomery where she also taught. Along the way she earned a masters in instructional leadership and more through the University of West Alabama. 

Brooks moved to Wetumpka and was a fifth grade teacher for a week at Wetumpka Middle School.

“I interviewed for an assistant position here at the elementary school,” Brooks said.

She worked under Hankins who was principal at the time. It was different being outside the classroom but much the same.

“I enjoyed being in the classroom so much, but this on this side, I feel like you have a greater impact,” Brooks said. “It's a larger scale and you're able to impact students, teachers and the community. It's a large responsibility, but I do it with excitement every day and I enjoy it.”

Hankins has been principal since 2020 and will continue in the role officially until Brooks takes the reigns July 1. But Brooks doesn’t see too many changes coming to WES besides a new entrance to the school to greet its 875 students daily. Brooks plans to follow many of the same paths Hankins pushed the school to.

“She set a strong foundation,” Brooks said. “Her leadership and service have been awesome. I can't see anyone else stepping into this role, because she's been the core of this for so long.”