Brown named principal at Liberty

Nelson Brown has accepted the position of principal at Liberty Middle School.

Nelson Brown is the new principal at Liberty Middle School.

Since 2010, Brown has served as principal at Columbia Elementary School. He was assistant principal at Columbia from 2007-2010. Before working at Columbia, he taught sixth grade at Heritage Elementary School for five years and was named Teacher of the Year for 2006.

“The five years that I have served at Columbia have been absolutely incredible. The collaboration between parents and school staff has always been about keeping students the priority,” he said in an email message to Columbia families. Brown looks forward to seeing many Columbia students when they enter middle school at Liberty.

Brown fills the vacancy left by Dr. Brian Clayton, who was selected by the Madison Board of Education to serve as principal at James Clemens High School.

Brown attended high school in Miami and then studied at Oakwood University for two years. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Athens State University, a master’s degree in educational administration at the University of West Alabama and education specialist status from Walden University in Minneapolis.

Working as Liberty principal “is a great opportunity to work with seventh- and eighth-graders. It’s an important time in their lives in which they are transitioning in many ways,” Brown said. “I want to have a positive impact on students.”

During his teaching career, what one student will Brown remember more than all others? “I can’t just name one,” he said. “I’ve seen so many students overcome challenges in order to succeed.”

In his first tasks at Liberty, Brown will be working to fill a couple of open staff positions. “We’ll have more flexibility in the building with fewer students,” he said about the ninth-grade class now attending James Clemens.

His wife Suzie is a teacher with Huntsville City Schools. Their sons are Nelson Jr., 15; Kobe, 13; and Branden, 11. In spare time, the Browns enjoy church activities, sports and traveling.