As the 2017-18 school year approaches, the Limestone County school system will introduce new faces and say goodbye to familiar ones.

For the first time in two decades, the bells of Tanner High School will ring with a new administrator preparing the school for the day and the year.

James Louis Gordon II is leaving the northeast part of the country and traveling home to Alabama, where he plans to stay.

“I’m from Alabama, but you have to go where the opportunities are,” he said. “I had the chance to have this opportunity. Now, I’m here to stay.”

Gordon said he’s looking forward to his new journey with the Tanner community.

“I’m excited to work with a close-knit community to advance the academic successes of the kids,” he said, adding he doesn’t want to make a lot of changes right off but rather build on the school’s achievements. “I want to celebrate successes and look at things we can take step-by-step and continue to get better. I want to look at where the kids are now and come up with a good plan for the increments we can reach, how to get there and what our students need.”

Gordon said he eventually wants to create an academy-type environment to zone in on specific areas of the school to better help prepare students for higher education.

“For me it’s all about where are you and what do you need,” he said. “From there we can map out a plan to make (students) successful. It’s not a one-size-fits-all. We have an academic plan that will enhance the needs for each student. I want to have success by motivating students to a greater level.”

Gordon said in order to motivate students, it’s important to build relationships with them and further understand them.

Gordon is completing his 20th year in education as assistant principal in the Baltimore County public school system in Maryland. Prior to working in Maryland, Gordon worked in Madison City Schools, Florence City Schools, Lauderdale County Schools and Jefferson County Schools.

There will be a meet-and-greet event for Gordon from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, at the Tanner High School gym. The theme is, “Together Tanner.”

Saying goodbye

As new faces enter the school district, a familiar one is leaving.

Dr. Shelley Vail-Smith, executive director of curriculum and instruction, is leaving after two years with Limestone County Schools to go to Jefferson County as deputy superintendent for teaching and learning.

“It’s the same job I have now,” she said. “In both systems, I’m in charge of curriculum, special education, federal programs and technology.”

Vail-Smith’s new role will put her over 56 schools and 36,000 students.

“It will look different but have similar job functions,” she said, adding the position allows her to finish where she started. “Jefferson County is home. It’s where I grew up and did my internship for my teaching career.”

Though she’s excited to get back to her roots, Vail-Smith said she will miss Limestone County and the people she worked with.

“I have loved being in Limestone County,” she said. “I really didn’t think there was any way I could fall in love with the place and people in two years, but I certainly did. Even though (Jefferson County) is home and closer, (Limestone County) has so many things going for it and it has been hard to leave. I love the community and the people and the schools. It’s a great place.”

Vail-Smith’s last day in Limestone County will be June 20. She will start her new position July 5.

Limestone County Superintendent Dr. Tom Sisk said Vail-Smith will be “deeply missed.”

“She was a contributing member of our leadership team,” he said. “She’s leaving big shoes to be filled.”

Sisk said the school system just posted the advertisement for the position and doesn’t anticipate filling it until late July or early August, at the earliest.