New assistant principal excited to join ‘Shelby County family’

Becoming an administrator means helping schools, students and teachers grow, said Laura Junkin, the new assistant principal at Oak Mountain Intermediate School.

Junkin entered the realm of teaching after realizing she wasn’t happy with her job in finance. A friend working with Teach for America encouraged her to join the program.

“Being in those first few years of being in Teach for America, I knew I wanted to be in administration,” Junkin said. “I wanted to help those systems.”

Along with 12 years of teaching experience, Junkin has a master’s in elementary education, a master’s in educational leadership and an education specialist degree. Her experience helped make her a good candidate for Oak Mountain Intermediate School, said principal Pat LeQuier.

“For us, she had intermediate level experience,” LeQuier said. “It’s really a very distinct age group, it’s that change for children between childhood and early adolescence. I knew she would relate really well to our kids.”

Junkin also has experience as an Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative trainer (AMSTI). LeQuier said Oak Mountain Intermediate teachers came returned from AMSTI training led by Junkin excited and ready for the change, and she believes Junkin will bring the same excitement into the school. Her experience also makes it easier to discuss AMSTI with parents and teachers.

“I kind of know where the teachers started from, and I’ve helped in that transition, so I think that will help me in discussions with the parents, with teachers,” Junkin said.

Junkin’s last position was as assistant principal at Gardendale Elementary school, where she worked for two years. Moving to Oak Mountain from another assistant principal position helps make the transition easier, Junkin said. The transition from teacher to administrator is a difficult one, but moving into another administrator position comes with helpful experience.

“I’ve really learned the importance of balance – being there for the parents, being there for the students and being there for the teachers, where being a teacher means more being there for the students and parents,” Junkin said.

As assistant principal, Junkin serves as the chairperson of the problem solving team, a group that helps teachers address concerns about students. The group also includes a literacy coach and lead teacher, and they brainstorm plans of action to help students reach their potential.

“I’m really excited to work with those students,” Junkin said. “I really like to be able to find what it is that will trigger their love for learning and help them grow.”

Junkin said she is excited to work with Oak Mountain Intermediate students during their transition from elementary to middle school as she transitions from Jefferson County Schools to Shelby County Schools.

“I’m just really excited to be a part of the Shelby County family and to have this opportunity to work with Oak Mountain Intermediate,” Junkin said.