The James E. Bazzell Middle School will welcome a new assistant principal for the 2014-15 school year. Bazzell Principal Melissa Towery has announced that Jon Porter has been selected to fill a vacancy created when Brandon Prunty accepted a principal’s position in Edmosnson County.
Porter is a 2001 graduate of Franklin-Simpson High School. He attended Western Kentucky University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. Porter first taught music in the Warren County School District and has served as band director at South Warren Middle School and South Warren High School for the past four years. He also earned his Master’s Degree and principal’s certification through the Principal Preparation Program at Western.
Porter sees his background as a band director as solid preparation to serve as a school principal.
“I have always had a knack for leadership,” Porter noted. “In band, there is so much that involves management. There is also so much work outside the classroom, from dealing with the boosters to competitions to all-district and all-region band activities. I was actually doing some work as a band director that a principal would do. I start taking the classes and liked it and decided to go in that direction.”
Porter’s decision to seek the assistant principal’s position is both a step forward in his professional career and an opportunity to serve in the county in which he resides.
“I was really happy at South Warren but I have been living in Allen County for eight years,” Porter noted. “I have always kind of wanted to be in Allen County but never had the opportunity. When this job opened, it was something I was really excited about.”
The new assistant principal says he is looking forward in getting to know students, colleagues, and parents.
“I am a firm believe in relationships,” Porter added. “Good relationships are the foundations for success with kids. I’m looking forward to building relationships and learning and grow professionally. This is a great opportunity.”
Porter and his wife, Melinda Cline Porter, are the parents of a son---Houston---who will be in second grade at the Allen County Primary Center.