Jennifer Warhurst is rising in the ranks of her educational career, having just recently accepted the principal position at Phil Campbell Elementary School.

Former principal Jackie Ergle retired from her position at the end of May after 17 years in the role.

Warhurst was the assistant principal at Russellville Middle School for two years, and prior to that she was the assistant principal at Haleyville Middle School for two years. She has worked in the education field for 19 years, and 15 of those years have been spent in elementary education.

“Elementary has my heart. I think that’s an age level that fits me well,” she said.

When she first decided to pursue an administrative career, Warhurst was a reading coach at West Elementary School, where she said she worked closely with administration and coached teachers.

“I was encouraged to pursue an admin job, and I’ve enjoyed it ever since,” Warhurst said.

Changing school systems won’t be a foreign task for Warhurst because she did the same thing when she accepted the position at Haleyville.

“I’m not afraid of doing something new,” she said. “I’m a people person and a team player. I love to support and encourage people.”

At PCES Warhurst won’t have an assistant principal, but she is confident her previous experiences and roles have prepared for the principal position.

“I have worked with some wonderful principals, and I have seen and dealt with a lot,” she explained.

PCES won’t be a totally foreign land for her, either. She said she already knows several of the teachers from her children’s involvement in sports and through her own years pursuing her educational degrees.

“They have already made me feel so welcomed and, in a way, like family,” Warhurst said.

She said she is excited about the opportunity and views it as a way of pursuing her biggest goal, which is to “grow and improve and become the best leader I can possibly be.”