As a native of Birmingham, Alabama and a participant and survivor of the Civil Rights movement, I understand the important role that education plays in the upward mobility and achievement for all people. Additionally, as a graduate of Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama; the University of Alabama in Birmingham; and the University of New Orleans, with additional studies at Auburn University; Southern University; Sacramento State University, as well as  Louisiana State University, I have used my educational opportunities and achievements to instill in a multitude of students a love for education.

Over the course of my career that spans in excess of 30 plus years in education teaching all subject areas, I have had the distinct pleasure of serving as Principal; Assistant Principal; Site Administrator; Administrative Assistant; Athletic Director; Assistant Athletic Director; Technology Coordinator; Social Studies Department Chairperson; Boys’ Head Basketball Coach; Girls’ Head Volleyball Coach; Football Offensive Coordinator; Assistant Baseball Coach; Head Cross-Country Track Coach; and Head Golf Coach. It has been during this time as a professional educator that I have had both the opportunity and the responsibility to serve as a positive role model and set high, yet attainable academic standards for my students, which has resulted in the vast majority of them becoming highly productive members of our society.

Because of this, I feel that my teachers also have an opportunity, a responsibility, and a blessing to play the same role in the lives of our students, serving as roles models and facilitating the continuation of their learning process. To achieve this, it is my belief that an educator must expect high achievement of his/her students and then work to instill self-efficacy for their achievement, as well as a love for their successes in the learning process. With these three tenets in place, the resulting expectation is that an improvement in the reading process can begin. Thus, leading to stronger studying and reasoning skills, subsequently allowing students to become increasingly more capable of the utilization of analytical thinking skills, permitting them not only to pass exams, but also to awaken their minds and inspire their souls with the desire to better understand themselves and the world around them.

I welcome all parents, all members of the community, including religious and civic leaders, to visit our campus and assist us as we prepare and inspire the next generation of leaders for our community and society. To borrow a quote from one of our own state institutions of higher learning, Independence High School is a place where “everyone is someone”!

Hugh V. Wallace, III, M.Ed.+ 30, M.H.A.

Principal