Buchanan likes Madison’s multi-cultural composition

MADISON – Carmen Buchanan loves Madison’s emphasis as a family town and the diversity of its people.

“There are so many family events for our children,” Buchanan said. “Everyone takes so much pride in living here.”

Unusual for a Southern town, Madison has many cultures represented in its population. “Our children learn to appreciate differences while celebrating what is unique about their own culture,” she said.

Buchanan has worked solely in Madison for her career in education, starting as a teacher at Liberty in 1993 and teaching drama, social studies and language arts there during 17 years. She then worked as Liberty’s instructional partner and served as assistant principal at Liberty and James Clemens High School.

Since 2014, Buchanan has served as Principal of Mill Creek Elementary School.

Raised in Meridianville, she graduated from Hazel Green High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Athens State College and an instructional leadership degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Her sons are Taylor, a James Clemens graduate and student at Calhoun Community College, and Braylon, a Mill Creek student.

In volunteer pursuits, “I support St. Jude’s with fundraising and recently the Juvenile Arthritis Association. I make quilts through the Quilts of Kids organization, which donates quilts to babies in NICU,” she said. “My career, my own children and attending our own school events keeps me very busy.”

For a pet, the Buchanans own a cat, which Braylon named Dab.

The Eagles is her favorite musical group. She likes a variety of music types, especially country, classic rock and 80’s.

Where does Buchanan like to go to eat out? “Too many to choose,” Buchanan said about Madison’s options. “Main Street Cafe, Sakura and Cork and Crust are my most frequented.”