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Andrew Pickerill, 31, a former Jessamine County teacher, recently was named assistant principal at Garrard Middle School in Lancaster. (Stephanie Mojica/smojica@amnews.com / August 31, 2012) |
LANCASTER — A Jessamine County educator recently was named assistant principal at Garrard Middle School.
Andrew Pickerill, 31, of Nicholasville, is in his first weeks in the new position. He works closely with second-year principal Jeanna Kidd to look after the educational and social well-being of about 600 students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Pickerill, who coached tennis and taught math at East Jessamine High School for three years, also serves as Garrard Middle’s athletic director.
“Andrew’s truly a great asset to the school,” Kidd said. “He is really helping us move in the direction we need to go both with academics and athletics.”
Pickerill was educated in central Kentucky, graduating from East Jessamine High in 1999 and then earning a bachelor’s degree from Wilmore’s Asbury College as well as a master’s in secondary education from Georgetown College. Making the transition from classroom teacher to school administrator has been fairly easy, Pickerill said.
“I have to make a lot more quick decisions in my new role,” Pickerill said. “Every day really is different and I enjoy that.”
As assistant principal, Pickerill tends to work closely with students who are having behavioral or academic problems. However, he is spending his first weeks trying to learn as many students’ names as possible.
“I’ve also talked to quite a few of the parents and have noticed there is a good amount of community involvement here in Garrard County,” Pickerill said. “Parents, teachers and adults in general seem to really care about all of our children.”
Pickerill, who married wife Courtney five years ago, recently became a father himself when his wife delivered their daughter Nora less than two months ago. Not only is he juggling a new job, fatherhood and a commute, he is one course away from finishing a principal’s certification at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond.
“I’ve know for a long time I wanted to be an administrator, as much as I did enjoy teaching,” Pickerill said. “I’m definitely in the right place.”
Garrard Superintendent Donald Aldridge said Pickerill’s credentials, commitment to central Kentucky and personality helped him earn his new position.
“Andrew seems to be a great young man who will be a positive role model for all of our students,” Aldridge said.
