New members of the faculty and staff now grace the halls of Montevallo High School, including new principal Dr. Wesley Hester.
Hester transitioned from Thompson Sixth Grade Center, where he was principal from April 2012 to this past July.  He grew up in Northwest Alabama in Russellville and went to school at Belgreen High, graduating in 1996.
Hester graduated from Athens State in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in education, and then received an educational specialist degree at the University of North Alabama. He earned his doctorate in instructional leadership at the University of Alabama in 2012.
He is married with two children.
This is Hester’s first year serving as a high school principal.
Hester consider his strengths to be recognizing the needs of other people, finding ways to achieve what students want, and finding strength and potential in students.
“I love the close-knit family atmosphere here,” Hester said. “There’s lots of genuine love for the school and the community.”
Teachers are pleased to have the opportunity to work with Hester.
“I think Dr. Hester brings a very positive energy to this school,” tenth grade history teacher Lee Pastor said. “I look forward to seeing MHS grow and expand under his leadership.”
At the first day of school pep rally, he encouraged students to get involved and contribute to the success of the school.
“Dr. Hester seems like a team player, and through his attitude and work ethic, we can tell this year will be successful,” junior Myshael Thompson said.
He plans to work with student leaders to make this year a great year, focusing on initiatives students would like to see implemented to improve aspects of school life.
“Dr. Hester is all about the positives and seems like a nice person,” senior Christina Morris said.  “I hope this year he will help us implement more of the things we want as a student body.”