Brad Elam was approved July 11 by the Thomasville City Board of Education as the new Principal at Thomasville Middle School.
He served last school year as Assistant Principal at TMS.
Elam takes over for the previous principal, Eddie Armstead Jr., who is moving into the position of principal at Thomasville High School. “Mr. Armstead did a great job last year,” he said. “It’s some big shoes to fill. He’s one of the best people I have worked under…I think the high school is gaining a great person.”
He wants to maintain the progress made at TMS in the last school year. “I thought we had a good year,” Elam said. “Everything went smooth.” It was important last year for TMS administration to set expectations early for students “and try to offer a lot of incentives for kids doing good things.” Students were awarded for test improvement and to promote good morale. “We try to make them feel involved. …We try to show, if you work hard, you get rewarded.”
Middle school age students go through many changes and can be susceptible to peer pressure. It is a hands-on approach at TMS, where the administration and teachers must closely monitor and supervise students, he said. Having structure in place is important.
“We have a good group of teachers here. They work well together and collaborate well. They do what’s best for the students each day.”
“…We want to make Thomasville Middle School one of the best schools in the state,” he said.
Elam’s education career includes approximately 17 years of experience in various school systems. He has worked in systems from kindergarten to 12th grade.
He served for two years as assistant principal at Sweet Water High School. He also previously served as a teacher and coach in the Thomasville City Schools District.
Elam was born in Warner Robins, Ga. and graduated from Trion High School in Trion, Ga. (northwest part of the state). He earned a Bachelor’s degree in special education at Athens State University in Athens, Ala.
He taught and coached at Bibb County High School and Tallassee High School before coming to THS for the 2015-2016 school year.
His wife Bethany serves as ARI Reading Coach at Thomasville Elementary School. Their three sons attend school in the Thomasville school system.