“I have a very simple philosophy of leadership,” said Col. Norman Lier, newly hired principal for Russellville High School. “My job is to serve. My job is to serve these teachers and serve these students.”

Lier comes to Russellville from Alabama’s Elkmont High School where he served as assistant principal. A self-described “army brat,” he was born in Washington, D.C. “My father retired in Huntsville. I graduated from JO Johnson, a Huntsville high school no longer around and from the University of North Alabama,” Lier said. “I had a very good friend of mine in college that was from here, and that’s how I found Russellville. I fell in love with it 40 years ago.”

Lier said RHS is a school that has “a lot of history and a lot of pride,” noting it extends beyond a single area. “They take pride in everything,” he continued. “They take pride in their athletics. They take pride in their academics. They take pride in their career tech endeavors. I would match this school up against any school in the state anytime.”

Lier said he’s looking forward to the challenge and to being part of the school and community. “What it means to be a Golden Tiger is that you’ve got a tradition of excellence that you’ve got to maintain, and the leaders have to set the example every single day,” he explained.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re an administrator or if you’re a teacher, you’ve got to set positive examples for these kids,” Lier continued, “because they’re going to follow what you do. We’ve got the best staff I’ve ever seen, and that Golden Tiger pride permeates everything from lesson plans to athletics, to pep rallies, you name it. The pride is there.”

Lier is married to Rhonda Lier, a retired schoolteacher. Between the two of them, they have five grown children and six grandchildren. “We’re staying very busy,” Lier said. “I am truly blessed. I’ve got a great family. I’ve got a great school.”