Finley still excited after 21 years
Finley sits with students Lisa Herod, senior, and Fariha Alam, junior, on a visit to Ben Johnston's AP Biology class.
Within a five-minute span one Wednesday morning, Dr. Julie Finley received a call over the radio about new technology for a classroom, had to deal with a concern about a sink in the girl’s restroom and made a visit to an AP Biology class.
This is what a normal day is like for the assistant principal at Bob Jones High School, who is also the wife of Madison Mayor, Paul Finley.
Finley’s inviting smile and warm personality is a staple at the high school, which she’s been assistant principal at for six years.
“After 21 years in education, I am more excited now than ever before,” Finley said.
“At this point, I’m most proud of the opportunity that I have to give back to my community. Taking time to provide input when asked or to give needed service is rewarding.”
Bob Jones has five assistant principals and each one wears a different hat. Finley’s duties include developing coursework, providing professional development for teachers and writing grants at the state and national level.
One of her main roles is to find jobs in the community that would provide first-hand experience for students through job shadowing and internships.
“So much of what we now offer is a direct result of our community supporting local education,” she said. “We’re continuing to build curriculum in courses around high interest and work-force needed professions. I think our courses have evolved to having more and more hands-on opportunities.”
Finley has served in all three levels of education, elementary, middle and high schools, with majority of her experience being in secondary education.
“I found out early on that a teacher is the barometer for the classroom,” she said. “The energy a teacher shares with students has the greatest impact on student achievement. That’s a wonderful validation of what we do everyday.”
Originally from Kentucky, Finley received her undergraduate degrees in english and psychology from Murray State University; her master’s degree in school counseling from Western Kentucky; and her PhD in school administration from the University of Louisville.
She has lived in Madison with her husband, and three boys, Tyler, Tanner and Kyle Thomas, all students in Madison City Schools, for eight years.
“As a parent, I am so thankful that our children have had the opportunity to get such a first-rate education,” she said. “I believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that they will be prepared to compete in a global workforce.”
What she said makes her proudest of her job is seeing results of job pay off in the long run.
“Paul always says actions speak louder than words, and when I’m able to look around and see the kids I’ve worked with in school and in community and they’re smiling, successful and confident, I just have to feel good about that,” she said.
