Abilene High School is welcoming a new addition to the administrative team: Assistant Principal Dr. James. With 13 years of teaching experience and a PhD from Kansas State University, she’s eager to bring her skills and energy to the school.

“She’s a hard worker, and having somebody so willing to just jump in and learn has been awesome,” Principal Dr. Smith said.

What’s impressed her most about AHS so far is the pride students take in their school.

“I came to a basketball game last spring, and was really impressed with the amount of people there… it just seems like everybody’s really proud of the school, and I’ve appreciated that,” Dr. James said.

Currently, she hopes to continue that spirit of support for both teachers and students.

“I want to keep supporting that school spirit and be that person everybody in the school can feel supported by,” Dr. James said.

After receiving her master’s in administration, she considered working at a university; ultimately, Abilene felt like the right fit.

“I saw this job opening, and it was close to home,” she said. “Everything kind of fell into place.”

While she’s already making her mark on AHS, the same welcoming atmosphere that students know and love will be upheld.

“It just goes on the way it has been because we have people who are committed to connecting with kids, and that part’s not gonna feel any different,” Dr. Smith said.