Kate Wade promoted to Principal at Discovery Middle School

MADISON – Discovery Middle School has a ‘new’ principal, but the school population will not consider this administrator as ‘new.’

Dr. Kate Wade has accepted the principal opening after working as Assistant Principal at Discovery since 2018. Wade fills the vacancy left by Jamie Hill, who has accepted the principal slot at Gulf Shores Middle School.

Madison Board of Education approved Wade’s promotion at its July 21 meeting.

“I am appreciative of all the support and encouragement. Discovery has made me the educator I am today, and I look forward to continuing to pour into our students, faculty and community,” Wade said.

“There’s something magical about what we have going on. So excited!” Wade posted on Facebook about her appointment.

Wade earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Studying instructional leadership, she received a master’s degree and an educational specialist degree from the University of West Alabama. For a doctorate degree, Wade continued in instructional leadership at Samford University.

Ironically, she’s now principal where she first started teaching – Discovery. She taught eighthgrade math and honors algebra, along with serving as assistant coach of swimming and diving at Bob Jones High School.

In August 2013, Wade transitioned to head coach of James Clemens High School’s charter team in swimming and diving. At James Clemens, she taught algebra and algebraic connections. In January 2015, she transferred to district level as secondary math specialist.

Wade’s work in administration opened in July 2018 as Assistant Principal at Discovery.

Working in tandem with Wade for administration and student outreach will be the assistant principals at Discovery, Jasmine Simpson and Matt Sweatman. In support for Wade, Simpson and Sweatman attended Madison Board of Education’s meeting to approve Wade for the job.

In professional development in July 2024, Wade attended the School Safety Conference in Phoenix, Ariz. by the National Association of School Resource Officers or NASRO, billed as the world leader in school-based policing. Wade served as a presenter for “Life After a School Tragedy.” “What a great experience to connect with law enforcement, educators and hear from some school safety giants,” she said in a Facebook post.

A native of Utah, Wade has lived in Alabama since her teenage years. Her children are Jude, a freshman at Bob Jones; Jace, fifth-grader at Columbia Elementary School; and Holland, a seventh-grader at Discovery.