In August 2023, Carrie Busby started in her new role as principal of Mountain Brook High School “MBHS,” following Philip Holley’s retirement. Carrie attended the University of Alabama, where she earned her B.S. in secondary education. Later on, she attended the University of Montevallo, where she earned her master’s in educational administration. Carrie started out teaching 12th-grade English at Hoover High School, and in 2013, she became the administrator to seniors at the school. In 2018, she came to work at MBHS as an assistant principal. Already a seasoned educator and administrator, Carrie is both well equipped and excited about working at MBHS. Here, she offers her thoughts to incoming students and her faculty and staff for the 2023-24 school year.
Tell our readers your thoughts about becoming the principal of MBHS.
Becoming the MBHS principal has included a range of reactions including initial excitement, humility and then hitting-the-ground running by serving the school and community. The first day of school was a very anticipated, happy day for me! I’m most excited about serving our school and community in different ways. Expanding my responsibilities allows me to work with everyone, and I’m both thrilled and challenged by that.
How do you as the principal plan to help lead the teachers, faculty and staff into having another successful school year?
The return of our faculty and staff has been a big focus for me this summer. Having been an administrator at MBHS has advantages for us all, so I had a jumpstart in knowing our strengths, needs and goals. Knowing the culture and climate of MBHS and what our teachers desire and need to provide engaging instruction drove our local planning for the opening of school. As I have shared with our faculty and staff, our focus has centered on how our goals and values in combination with our practices and relationships work together toward achieving the desired outcomes for our students, faculty, families and community. With this mindset as the focus, we are unified in our collective efforts in beginning a successful school year.
What is your favorite part of your job? What makes your job worth getting up to come to work everyday?
This question is easy to answer. All of the people at MBHS are my favorite part of the job. I am drawn to the high school world and this season of a young person’s life. Supporting students during this roller coaster of life is very rewarding to me.
Which school event(s) are you most looking forward to and why?
For me, graduation is probably the most special event at MBHS. Celebrating this achievement with seniors and their families is super special. Having a front row seat to students closing the chapters of high school while encouraging them to go confidently into their future is very fulfilling.
What would you like our readers to know about you?
Outside of MBHS, my family is the center of my thoughts, efforts and prayers. My husband and I have been married for 27 years, and we have two adult children who have graduated from college. Our son and daughter-in-law live right outside of Birmingham, and our daughter lives in Florida. I am really proud of them and probably talk about them too much. Meanwhile, my husband and I are enjoying the empty nest era and getting to the lake when we can.
