Russell to serve as new THS Assistant Principal
From Staff Reports
Jay Russell has been selected as the new Assistant Principal at Thomasville High School.
“I am extremely excited and honored to have been chosen to serve as assistant principal for Thomasville High School,” he said. “I look forward to working with Mrs. Bouler, the THS faculty, and most importantly the students.
“My philosophy on education (whether as a teacher or administrator) has always been that a truly successful school teaches the whole child, addressing academics as well as character development.”
Russell began working for the Thomasville City Schools District in 2025, teaching sixth grade social studies and serving as an assistant coach for the wrestling team.
He was born and raised by his grandparents, aunts, and uncles in Kemper County, Miss.
Russell graduated with honors from West Kemper High School in 1989. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1989 until 1993; deployed to the Middle East as part of Desert Storm and served aboard a guided missile frigate out of Yokosuka, Japan; honorably discharged.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in English with a minor in journalism in 1998 from the University of West Alabama in Livingston. Russell later earned a Master of Arts in Teaching in 2005.
He worked as a reported and sports editor at the Sumter County Record-Journal as well as a journalist with Scripps-Howard News (in South Florida).
Russell began his teaching career as an English teacher at Livingston High School, and then got hired at Demopolis High School the second year and taught English and creative writing there until 2018.
He also taught English and history for four years at University Charter School in Livingston, and began working on certification as an instructional leader through UWA.
He returned to Demopolis in 2022, where he taught middle school history for one year before being hired as assistant principal at Westside Elementary School and U.S. Jones Elementary School.
Russell currently resides in Demopolis with his wife Ronda. He has a stepson, Brett, age 24, and a son, Dylan, age 17.
He is a member of the Binnsville Church in Binnsville, Miss.
“My top hobby is martial arts, he said. “I have been training in various martial arts since I was 15 years old. I started with karate and then taekwondo before learning judo, wrestling, muay thai kickboxing, and Brazilian jiu jitsu. I currently have black belts in karate, taekwondo, and Brazilian jiu jitsu.
“I love training as it is great for physical, mental, and emotional wellness; but I also love teaching and coaching others as it is a great way to help people improve themselves.
“I also collect Marvel comic books,” Russell said. “I have done that since 1978, and really attribute my initial love for reading to those super hero stories.
“My family and I also love outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, and camping. We make it a point to go on several camping adventures each year together.
“I am a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a former post president in Demopolis,” he added.