Raised by two educators, Jerry Russell was inspired to follow his parents’ steps.
Jerry Russell, the new Littlefield Elementary School principal, grew up in an education household. His parents, Doyle and Robin Russell, were both teachers. Russell’s mother was a teacher, and his father went from teacher to principal, then superintendent.
“I went to school to get my music education degree, to be a band director,” Russell said.
Russell received his bachelor’s in music from Tarleton State University in 2008. He taught band for six years while teaching Russell was in graduate school. He received his master’s in education from Sul Ross University and his principal certification in 2012.
Russell was hired by Snyder Independent School District and worked with the district for about six years. He then became the principal at their elementary school and junior high, Russell said.
For about four years, Russell left public education and taught at a charter school in the Metroplex in Lewisville as a district administrator. In hopes of being closer to his family, Russell moved to Wichita Falls and was the high school principal for their charter school.
“During that time, I finished my doctorate in education,” Russell said.
He received his doctorate in educational leadership from Liberty University in Virginia in 2023; he also received his superintendent certification. He soon began looking to work in a public education setting, Russell said.
After speaking with Mitch McNeese, assistant superintendent, and Amber Hays, Littlefield High School principal, he felt it was a great opportunity, Russell said.
“I like the community, and it just felt like a good fit,” Russell said.
Now almost halfway through his first year as the Littlefield Elementary principal, Russell spoke about goals and aspirations for the school.
“One of our goals was to bring joy to the campus,” Russell said.
Bringing joy is one of the campus’ big cultural goals. To achieve this goal, the campus has various events and activities throughout the day and weeks for the children. By doing this, Russell hopes to create a setting students, parents and staff will enjoy, he said.
Academically, the campus looked at academic components and tried to set high bars for increasing their percentage of students at the “meets” and “masters” level across all grades and subjects for the STAAR.
As an educator, Russell has experienced moments that have shaped his values.
“You learn things each year and you grow in your profession,” Russell said.
He highlighted the importance of training or professional development to help staff grow. In turn, this helps students grow academically and helps the community at large when students graduate, Russell said.
The ability to self-reflect and listen is an important takeaway from his career. Making sure their voices are heard, he said.
Part of making sure voices are heard is to foster relationships with students, parents and the community.
“I try to be involved, you know, at different events,” Russell said.
Russell enjoys attending events that go on within and outside the school. He serves with the Rotary Club and his church. While being an educator, he’s also a father to two students, allowing him to be more active in the community.
A new principal means new ideas, programs and improvements.
Littlefield Elementary adopted a new science and math curriculum at the end of last year and started it this year. The campus is looking at starting a “good behavior” store after Christmas break.
The new science curriculum was set before Russell arrived. The new math curriculum, approved by the Texas Education Agency, is Eureka Math. Littlefield Elementary was the only campus in the district that didn’t use Eureka Math. We made that switch so it would better be lined up across the district, Russell said.
The “good behavior” store is still in the talking stage of what it may or may not look like.
“We can reward students with different prizes for their behavior when they act good,” Russell said.
Sometimes, students’ good behavior can get overlooked, Russell and the campus hope to acknowledge the great things the children are doing.
“We’re trying to do things that promote positive results and positive things for kids,” Russell said.
Russell is aware of the challenges the campus and district might face.
Districts across the state have struggled with funding sources. Right now, the district is trying to attract families to Littlefield with the new high school and remodeling of the old high school. Russell said that career and Technical Education or CTE courses are being offered to provide more opportunities for students.
Finding teachers who are certified and want to move to Littlefield has always been a challenge. The teacher shortage is an issue across the state.
We just want others to know about the great facilities, opportunities and programs that we’re offering, Russell said.
Looking at the near future, the campus is now disaggregating data to view progress and start addressing academic concerns for students of all grade levels. Professional development will continue to be nurtured by the campus.
Being new to anything can come with its challenges. Russell’s transition to Littlefield and as the new elementary principal has been nothing more than welcoming.
“ I’ve been really blessed,” Russell said. “I look forward to many more years here at the school and serving in whatever capacity that I can.”