WCHS graduate to take reins as high school principal

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

On Thursday night Webster County High School’s Site Based Decision Making Committee announced the selection of WCHS’s new Principal, bringing back an educator with roots in Webster County.

Tara Howard is a 1992 graduate of WCHS, making this something of a homecoming for her. 

“I look forward to building new relationships and rekindling old relationships,” Howard said. “I am a firm believer in the importance of relationships and communications.”

Howard, who has been an administrator with McLean County High School since 2010, also taught Algebra I, Honors Algebra and Informal Geometry at WCHS in the 1998-1999 school year.

“My passion for learning was cultivated at WCHS,” Howard said. “I’m honored and humbled to have the opportunity to pour myself into a school that has given me so much.”

She said she wants to see Webster County teachers, students and parents continue the pursuit of excellence in everything.

“I’m excited to build and cultivate a culture where teachers and students are excited about learning and where school pride is evident in everything we do,” she added. “Whether it’s assessment testing and accountability, athletic competition or other extra curricular activities.”

Howard, a Western Kentucky University graduate, began her teaching career at Todd County Central High School, where she spent one semester before teaching briefly at Webster County in 1998-99. From there she moved to James Madison Middle School in Madisonville, where she spent five years teaching Pre-Algebra and Algebra I. Howard moved on to McLean County in 2005, spending two years teaching math at the Middle School.

From 2008-2010 Howard changed gears, teaching Chemistry I and II and Forensic Science at McLean County High School before finally moving into Administration starting in 2010.

From 2010 until the present Howard as served as a Curriculum Coach, Building Assessment Coordinator, Professional Development Coordinator, CTE Coordinator, AP Coordinator, ARC Chairperson, Teacher Evaluator and CCR Coach.

She replaces WCHS’s Tim Roy who was named last week as Principal of James Madison Middle School in Hopkins County.

This is the second principal to be hired by the Webster County School District in the last two weeks. Cyndi Boggs was named principal of the new Webster County Middle School on Friday, June 6, 2014.

“I’m very excited about the new middle school,” Howard said. “I spent half my career in middle school and the other half in high school. I’m excited to see Webster County opening a middle school and the opportunities that will provide.”

She added that she would work with the middle school administration in any way she could, which could include advanced courses and mentoring programs.

Sebree’s Site Based Committee will meet on Tuesday to begin the process of replacing Principal Terry Starks who stepped down to return to the classroom.