Even though living a simple life is nice, sometimes change is necessary. This is especially true for assistant principal Valerie Pierce, who knows all about how change can improve one’s life.
Pierce has taught math at George County for the last 13 years. Although she loves to teach, as the years went on, she began to feel like this job was no longer challenging her. So, she returned to Arkansas State University to earn her specialist’s degree last year. When Darlene Hearndon was promoted to administrator at the beginning of year, Pierce decided that now was the time to make the change.
Pierce was originally from Central Florida, growing up in a small town surrounded by vast fields and orange groves. However, as she got older the town became more industrialized, slowly losing the charm that she had grown accustomed to.
Even though her hometown was no longer the same, Pierce found that feeling again when her family came to visit her parents who had moved to Lucedale. Instantly she fell in love with the town.
“We liked it a lot because it reminded us of our childhood and we really wanted that for our kids,” Pierce said. “And so, me and my sister moved here.”
Moving to Lucedale also gave Pierce the opportunity to rethink her career. She was originally a claims adjuster for State Farm, and it was very mentally taxing. Not only did she have to work long hours and be constantly on call, but she was also missing out on the privilege of watching her children grow up. So when her job position was not available in Lucedale, she took a chance and really thought about what she should do with her life.
“So I took a year off and really prayed and researched, and I really felt like God was leading me to be a teacher.” Pierce said.
This revelation led her to teach at George County, and eventually to her role as assistant principal.
Pierce has high hopes for this coming school year. Even though she knows that she has some big shoes to fill, she is ready to take that challenge head on.
“I just want to do the best job I can and just learn and try to figure out my place in everything.” Pierce said.
