Mims accepts principal slot at Madison Elementary School

Melissa Raby Mims is the new principal at Madison Elementary School. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Melissa Raby Mims, Madison Elementary School’s new principal, sees both similarities and differences compared to her last work assignment.

For six years, Mims was assistant principal at Chelsea Park Elementary School near Birmingham. Compared to Madison elementary, Chelsea Park has more students, 90 teachers and staff members and includes sixth grade.

However, both schools are family-oriented, use Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) and Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) strategies and follow Alabama College and Career Ready Standards, she said.

Madison elementary’s opening attracted Mims because of “the reputation the system has built for itself. The caliber of teaching and student learning is so impressive,” she said. “I’m honored to join such a progressive system.”

In addition, as a Madison County native and Sparkman High School graduate, Mims again lives in proximity to relatives and friends.

Mims has enjoyed meeting Madison elementary’s faculty and families. “I appreciate the school’s history. My grandfather graduated from Madison High School,” she said.

As Chelsea Park assistant principal, Mims sponsored the fifth-grade ambassadors who greeted parents at school events, guided preschoolers on a tour of their prospective kindergarten and completed service projects on campus.

“It was rewarding watching the student become more confident will fulfilling leadership roles,” Mims said. “They were proud of their school.” She also enjoyed visiting classrooms to encourage students “to persevere when completing assignments.”

Mims earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and education specialist credentials at Auburn University. She has master’s certification in educational leadership from the University of Montevallo.

In other assignments, she taught at Loachapoka Elementary School, Chestatee Elementary School in Gainesville, Ga. and Chelsea elementary. Mims has taught second and third grades, along with working with grades 4-5 as a Title I assistant while attending graduate school.

Her husband Wesley Mims works with Mims Construction LLC.

“Wesley and I are thrilled to be joining the family at Madison elementary and are excited to be coming home to Madison County,” she said.

Raby replaces Dr. Timothy Scott, who accepted a job with Huntsville City Schools.