New Red Bay principal steps up to challenge

Paul Humphres has walked the same halls for 23 years, but this year things will look different, as he moves down the road to assume the position of principal at Red Bay High School.

Humphres has been at Vina High School for 23 years serving as a math teacher, athletic director and assistant principal. After seeing the position come open in Red Bay, he decided it was time to try something new.

“I’m coming to the end of my career and figured this was the right time to give it a try,” Humphres said. “I felt like it was time for me to finally try and see if I was capable of doing this job, which I believe I am.”

Franklin County Superintendent Greg Hamilton said he is positive Humphres will continue to excel at Red Bay, as he has at Vina.

“He is a hard-working Christian man who is humble and very detail-oriented,” Hamilton said. “I have complete confidence in him.”

Vina Principal Brent Gillespie said Humphres will be missed at Vina, but he knows he will excel at Red Bay.

“Red Bay is really lucky getting him,” Gillespie said. “He is a great administrator and is one of the hardest-working individuals. I know he will do great things in Red Bay.”

Humphres said he has been at Red Bay for almost two weeks, working hard to prepare for the upcoming school year.

“I am so excited to be here and to meet all of the new people,” Humphres said. “I’m excited to get to meet all of the students and teachers.”

Humphres said so far, the job has been a learning experience for him from day one because of the virus, but he is choosing to look at things with a positive spin.

“It is going to be a positive year but a challenging one,” Humphres said. “It is going to be a learning experience because everything is constantly changing right now, but we will get through it.”

Hamilton said Humphres will have his work cut out for him, adjusting to running a school during a pandemic, but it is a new learning experience for everyone.

“The biggest problem he will face this year will be the unknowns due to the virus, but that is what all of us are facing right now,” Hamilton said. “I’m sure being in a new environment will make that even harder, but I do have faith that he will do well.”

Humphres said although he never expected to take on his first job as principal during a pandemic, it is all the start of a new journey as a Red Bay Tiger. “The way I see it is, it is all a new adventure, and this is the start of it.”