Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy (SMLCA), a private, coeducational school, has hired Sharon Hicks as its new high school principal. Her hiring comes after Lincoln Bryan served in the role for several years.
More than three decades of experience is what Hicks comes with. In addition to being an instructional coach, she has also worked as a teacher, mentor, supervisor of Gifted and Advanced Programs and administrator.
“It is our honor to introduce to Osprey Nation our new principal, Ms. Sharon Hicks. Sharon is a spirit-filled lady with a heart to help students in their walk spiritually, academically and socially. She is a mother and a grandmother in addition to checking the boxes, educationally and experientially,” Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy said in a statement.
A Roanoke native, Hicks attended Roanoke College after graduating from William Fleming High School in 1987. After graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in History, she later earned a degree in educational leadership from Radford University.
Today, on average, just two in ten teenagers say they read regularly outside of school. When Hicks began her career, that number was significantly higher. Hicks, the daughter of Yvonne and the late James Hicks, Sr., believes that teaching is the greatest act of optimism.
Valerie Smith can attest to that. Smith, whose daughter had Hicks at Hurt Park Elementary School, knows that she will do great things at Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy. “When I heard the news, I was so happy for her. Ms. Hicks didn’t just teach my daughter how to learn, she helped her learn to trust her own mind and gut instincts,” she said.
Continuing, she added, “She is an amazing woman and leader. In part, that comes from her upbringing.”
Hicks steps into her role ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work.
Longtime SMLCA employees include Patricia Thurston (home economics), Carole St. Clair (sign language), Sheila Sprigg (science), Jessica Robb (director of academics), Ben Burton (math) and Zach Hall (history).
They, along with their colleagues, will help Hicks fully acclimate to this new chapter in her life.
“Students should be seen as the individuals they are, created in God’s image with a unique plan for their life, not as a number or handled in a cookie-cutter fashion,” its website states. “Parents should be offered the most cost-effective educational product available, while not compromising on the safety, academic rigor, and preparation their students deserve.”
