Alachua County Public Schools has named Eastside High School’s principal and Gainesville High School’s assistant principal as top administrators for the year. The two will represent the district in statewide recognition programs. 

Eastside Principal Leroy Williams joined ACPS in 2004 as a Lincoln Middle School teacher, eventually moving up to be dean and then assistant principal of the school. In 2016, he became Eastside’s assistant principal, promoting to principal in 2021. 

“Every day when I come to work, it doesn’t feel like work to me,” Williams said in a press release. “I feel like it’s another opportunity to have a positive impact or make a difference in a child’s life.” 

Williams has made it his goal to cultivate an environment that serves the “whole child,” according to the release. This involves teachers, students, staff and the community working to support students in academics, social life and emotional health. 

GHS Assistant Principal Mallory Becker worked as a teacher and administrator in California before coming to Alachua County. In almost 30 years as an educator, she has worked with the University of Florida, as well as spending four years as assistant principal at Lincoln Middle School, a year as principal of Alachua eSchool and six years in her current position. 

Becker’s stated goal is to provide students with academic opportunities based on their individual strengths and interests, according to the release. She has worked to help all students access advanced coursework. 

“My goal is to help develop well-rounded students who are equipped to be good citizens and academically prepared no matter what their plans are after high school,” Becker said in the release. 

Williams and Becker were selected by peers based on their resumes and responses to state-developed questions on topics like teacher support and student performance. 

Finalists for Florida Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year are expected to be selected in January or February. Statewide winners in both recognition programs should be announced in March or April.