Ms. Maryann Pledger is entering her first year as the 11th grade assistant principal at Thompson High School. We sat down with her to talk about what she's looking forward to for the upcoming school year, and what she wants students and parents to know.
Where did you start your career?
I began my teaching career in Shelby County, where I taught 8th Grade World History. I married a football coach, and we went to Foley, where I taught 6th Grade Science and Basic Math. After we moved back to Birmingham, I stayed home to be a mom for a little while, because we had three small children and we also had children through foster care. I then started teaching at Samford University and taught there for a year.
While I was teaching English to graduate and post graduate level Chinese students, my husband and I ended up adopting two children from China. It was just one of those things that God had been putting on our hearts.
I later started working at Shades Valley, JCIB, the Irondale Middle and the Tech Academy as the ESL teacher. I also taught history classes and history electives.
I also taught at Spain Park as an ESL teacher before returning to Jefferson County. There I worked as an administrator at Oak Grove before moving back to Fultondale High School.
What brought you to Thompson High School?
The idea of returning to my roots was something that I wanted to venture on and embark on. I feel like I owe a lot of who I am to this community and my education here at Thompson.
What are you looking forward to most of this upcoming school year?
Building positive relationships with students, teachers and the community.
What is something you want students and parents to know about you?
I'm a servant leader. I believe in education and we're here to help and serve those around us, but also help students find their way. To find and inspire them to be lifelong learners in whatever that may be, whether it's a career college or life readiness.
I'm very grateful and excited to serve in this position at Thompson High School. To be able to give back to the community that helped raise me is unique, and not everyone gets that opportunity, so I feel very fortunate that Dr. Hester is giving me this opportunity.
Do you have any hobbies outside of school?
I enjoy golfing! This is something we do as a family. We also mountain bike and are also runners and hikers. I've coached boys and girls sports, and my husband has coached boys and girls sports, so we're very active as a family all around.
Do you have a quote that you live by?
"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better or happier."
Mother Teresa