Larry Haynes has served as principal at Oak Mountain Middle School in Shelby County since 2004. He is currently on the Council for Leaders in Alabama School (CLAS) Board of Directors and serves on the Board for the Alabama Association for Middle School Principals (AAMSP), where he is a past president of the organization. He previously served as an assistant principal at Oak Mountain High School and prior to that taught U.S. History, English, journalism and broadcasting at Montevallo High School, also in Shelby County. During his tenure at Montevallo, the bi-weekly newspaper, SPOTLIGHT, and student newscast, MHS News, earned numerous state and national awards. Dr. Haynes served two years as president of the Alabama Scholastic Press Advisors Association and was named Journalism Advisor of the Year by ASPA in 1996. At the national level, he received Columbia University’s Gold Key Award in 2001.
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Administration
Principal Larry Haynes, Ed.D
Under Dr. Haynes’ leadership, OMMS was the first middle school cited by the Alabama Department of Education for Exceeding the Challenge in all demographic areas, the State Attorney General’s Office presented Oak Mountain Middle with its School Safety Award, and OMMS students were recognized for scoring among the nation’s top ten middle schools in Math and Science on the Middle Grades Assessment. In 2012, ASPA recognized Dr. Haynes as Administrator of the Year and named the award in his honor for his years of commitment to scholastic journalism. In 2021, AAMSP awarded Dr. Haynes the 2021 Middle School Principal of the Year. He credits a “phenomenal” faculty and staff, outstanding students, supportive parents, and a proactive and committed leadership team for the positive things that have taken place at Oak Mountain.
Dr. Haynes earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Ed. S degrees from the University of Montevallo. He received his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Assistant Principal Sheryl Jones
Ms. Jones has over twenty-two years of experience as an educator. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in English Language Arts from Samford University and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Leadership from the University of Montevallo.
Assistant Principal Jay McGaughy
Mr. McGaughy has twenty years of experience in education and currently serves as the administrative assistant at Oak Mountain Middle School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social work, a master’s degree in instructional leadership, and an education specialist degree in instructional leadership from the University of Montevallo.
Administrative Assistant Kristi Turner
Mrs. Turner has 21 years of experience in Shelby County Schools. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Communication and Science Disorders, a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, and an Educational Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from the University of Montevallo. She received her Instructional Leadership certification from the University of West Alabama. She is currently Nationally Board Certified in the area of Middle Childhood Generalist.