Turner takes over leadership at Chelsea High School

It’s almost time for the start of a new school year, and Brandon Turner will start his first day at Chelsea High School on Aug. 8. 

Turner, the new principal for the Hornets, accepted the position in June when former Principal Wayne Trucks left for a job with the St. Clair County school board. Turner’s first official day in the office was July 1, and he said he is looking forward to this new opportunity after spending the last four years as principal at Montevallo High School. 

“Montevallo was a wonderful place to work, and I really enjoyed my time there,” Turner said. “I don’t necessarily look at this as a better job, but a different job with exciting, new and different opportunities. I’m excited to be able to work in a larger school with a larger staff in a community that I’ve heard great things about.” 

The move brings Turner to a school with 1,250 students, almost three times the size of Montevallo’s enrollment of 400. While the job transition was a quick turnaround, Turner is ready to get started in his new role. 

“You don’t ever feel completely planted until you get through that first year,” he said. “I’m still catching up on what has already been done and implemented before I arrived. It doesn’t feel like things are settling until you have a year into it.”

Turner said when changing jobs, some people are actively seeking to switch, and others are not necessarily looking to leave, but an opportunity may present itself.

“Mr. Trucks and I both could echo that sentiment,” he said. “A different opportunity became available for something new and exciting that would allow for professional growth.”

In his 20-year career, the Roanoake native has worked as a teacher, coach and administrator at Wadley, Ohatchee, Hueytown, McAdory and Vestavia Hills before taking a job in Shelby County. 

Turner knew in college that he wanted to be a social studies teacher. He has three degrees from the University of Alabama: a bachelor’s in social studies, a master’s degree in educational leadership and educational administration and a doctorate in educational administration. 

“I wanted to teach social studies, and also be involved in coaching and sports,” Turner said. “I do think the teaching aspect of it was always the big driver, but coaching was kind of a bonus. Education was something I was really passionate about, regardless of athletics.”

Working in administration, Turner knows coaching is a thing of the past, but he looks forward to watching all of Chelsea’s team sports in the upcoming school year. 

Turner’s plan is to continue to improve Chelsea High School, both in terms of academics, facilities and programs and being able to provide the community with best school possible.

“In every aspect, Chelsea has room to improve, as any school does,” he said. “I want to help things grow positively and that makes the job exciting.”

Turner lives in Hoover with his wife Ashley, a second-grade teacher at McAdory, and their two children, ages 8 and 2. 

Entering his fifth year as a principal, Turner is ready to hit the ground running for the 2019-20 school year. 

“Right now, my focus is completely here,” he said. “My priority right now is Chelsea High School.”