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New HES principal Holly Laney discusses her return to Helena. 

 

First, tell me more about yourself.

I’m Holly Laney, a mother of two energetic boys and the wife of a coach which keeps our lives bustling and full of energy. I hold a bachelor’s degree in collaborative education from Troy University and have recently earned my master’s degree and educational specialist degree in educational leadership from UAB.

 

Can you tell me about your career in education?

I have spent nearly my entire career within Shelby County Schools. I started as a classroom teacher at Valley Intermediate in Pelham. After 10 years, I transitioned to Helena Intermediate, where I served as the assistant principal for three years. I then moved to Calera Intermediate, taking on the role of assistant principal for four years. Most recently, I worked as the director of special education and student services at Tarrant City Schools. When the opportunity to become principal at Helena Elementary arose, I felt a strong pull to return to this community and was thrilled to do so.

 

Tell me about your decision to return to the school setting after working in a school board position. 

Working in Tarrant City Schools was a shift for me, as all of my previous experience had been within Shelby County Schools. Adapting to a board-level role, as opposed to being directly involved at the school level, was an additional change. While I appreciated the diverse roles and responsibilities that came with my position in Tarrant, I missed the daily energy of a school environment. I longed for the direct connections with students and parents that I had grown accustomed to, which were not as prevalent at the board level.

 

Why did you choose to return to Helena? 

Every experience I’ve had has provided me with invaluable lessons and memories. My time at Helena Intermediate was particularly rewarding, as I had the chance to work with a fantastic staff and forge strong connections with students and their families. The support from the Helena community is exceptional, and the Husky pride is truly impressive. Returning to Helena felt like a natural and effortless decision for me.

 

What is your favorite thing about working in school administration? 

School administration is an engaging and dynamic challenge, with each day offering something new and different from the last. I see working in education as a true calling, and I am particularly passionate about school administration because it allows me to support and invest in the staff, which in turn benefits more students and families. At its core, I believe that the strength of a school comes from all of the people within its walls. Helena Elementary truly embodies that sense of family and I am blessed to lead such a powerful group of educators and staff.

 

What do you believe is the most challenging thing about working in school administration? 

The greatest challenge is managing the demands and influences of the outside world that infiltrate the otherwise nurturing environment of learning within the school.

My role is to ensure that students feel safe, heard and understood as they progress academically. While this is straightforward within the school’s walls, it becomes more difficult when external pressures and issues start to affect the school environment.

 

What are you most looking forward to in your new position? 

I’m thrilled about the opportunity to build relationships with students and their families, celebrate together and experience all the adventures that elementary school offers. It feels like a wonderful return to my own childhood, filled with joy and fun. The unconditional love from little ones is priceless, and witnessing their growth and learning is truly incredible.

 

Do you have a message you would like to say to the Helena community?

The Helena Community is truly a special place. Before I joined Helena Elementary, it was already achieving wonderful things, and I feel honored to be a part of it. I’m eager to collaborate with the other schools and stakeholders throughout my journey here. I’m committed to doing my part to help our school bring excellence to the families in Helena. I’m excited about this year and the years ahead because, in the end, “Life is Better as a Husky!”