Photo by Ana Good.
Belinda Treadwell
Mountain Brook Elementary PTO President, Kristy Parrot, left, presents retiring Principal Belinda Treadwell with gifts after she completed the "Lancer Walk" through the school's halls.
The Mountain Brook Elementary student body and faculty were in on a big secret on May 25.
At precisely 2 p.m., students, teachers, administrators and parents lined the school’s halls for a surprise “Lancer Walk” held in honor of retiring principal Belinda Treadwell.
Treadwell, who has been at the school since 1998, walked the halls of MBE for the last time today to say goodbye to all who had gathered. The school’s hallways echoed with chants of “Treadwell!” and “We love you!” as students paraded alongside their beloved principal. Handmade signs and posters ripped through the air. The walk, a MBE tradition, is usually reserved for graduating sixth graders.
“It was a wonderful surprise,” said Treadwell, standing outside the school where parents of current and former students had gathered to thank and hug her one last time.
Parents, students and teachers completed the send-off by presenting Treadwell with cards, letters, signs and hand-drawn pictures.
Treadwell, a graduate of Auburn University, obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education. She then went on to receive her Masters of Education and Education Specialist degrees from Samford University. In 1998, Treadwell began her tenure at MBE as the lead teacher/assistant principal. In 2002, she was named principal of MBE.
According to her MBE online profile, Treadwell is a member of several professional organizations including Learning Forward, Key Leaders Network of Alabama, and The Council for Leaders of Alabama Schools.
Though she does not have concrete plans yet regarding her retirement, Treadwell said she is looking forward to spending time with family. Of course, she said, she will try to visit the school occasionally.
“You always hope to visit,” she said. “I know the school will be blessed to have Mrs. [Ashley] McCombs now at its helm.”
The Mountain Brook Board of Education during its monthly meeting on Monday, April 11, approved the appointment of Ashley McCombs as the new principal of Mountain Brook Elementary.
McCombs previously served as the assistant principal at the school and had served in that position since 2012.
