Dr. Claudia Styles visits with kindergartners when she was principal at Legacy Elementary School. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – At semester’s end, Dr. Claudia Styles will retire as principal at Mill Creek Elementary School.

Styles has worked as Mill Creek principal since September 2013, filling the vacancy left when Melanie Barkley transferred to the principal slot at Discovery Middle School.

“My time in Madison City Schools has been very insightful. In the short time I’ve been here, I feel I have made some positive changes and have grown professionally,” Styles said.

“God has a plan for all of us and has opened some doors that have led me to another chapter in my life. Unfortunately, the timing is not the best, but I have to trust that things will work out for the best and according to what He has planned,” Styles said.

In her resignation, Styles acknowledged Madison City Schools as an “outstanding school system of dedicated teachers and staff, capable students and a visionary superintendent and board.”

“We will miss her and applaud the great work she has done at Mill Creek,” Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler said.

Styles’ decision “was driven by family and financial obligations,” manager of public relations John Peck said.

Before working at Mill Creek, Styles compiled 23 years with Madison County Schools. In 2007, she accepted the principalship at Legacy Elementary School.

Previously, she had been assistant principal at Madison Crossroads elementary and Riverton middle schools. Also at Riverton, she taught first- and fifth-graders for eight years.

For several years, Styles has taught school law classes at Tennessee State University and served as an independent consultant for Cambium Learning Center and Sopris West Publishing Company.

Styles plans to continue working in the field of educational administration.

Her husband Bryan Styles is football defensive coordinator at Bob Jones High School. The Styles have three children.

Central Office staff has posted the Mill Creek opening at madisoncity.k12.al.us. A screening committee will review resumes and interview candidates for recommendations to the Madison Board of Education, Peck said.