ON THE JOB — New Alleghany High School Assistant Principal Mike Edwards pauses for a photograph in a conference room at AHS. Edwards started work here on Aug. 1.

Mike Edwards reflects on move to Alleghany High

Mike Edwards' career in education may have come full circle when he became assistant principal at Alleghany High School Aug. 1.

A Sparta native, Edwards has spent more than 20 years as a teacher and coach, then an administrator, at schools in several other counties in western North Carolina. This is his first post in Alleghany, at the high school whose leaders motivated him as a student to choose education as an occupation.

"So far I've really enjoyed being back, getting to enjoy a lot of old friendships and making new ones, so it's been a good experience," said Edwards.

Most of his family lives here in Alleghany, he said, including his mother, brother, aunts and cousins.

Edwards credits the examples of Bill Jarrett, Jim Maines and Jim Greene during his high school education at AHS. Jarrett was a mathematics teacher and basketball coach, Maines coached baseball and basketball, and Greene was principal. All three helped with the football team. "When I graduated high school, I wanted to be a physical education teacher and coach. A lot of it had to do with the influence those people had when I was up here."

Referring to Greene, Edwards said, "I felt like he was a really good role model for kids. He was always very supportive of his students."

Teacher & Coach

Edwards attended Appalachian State University, earning a bachelor's degree in physical education and social studies, and a master's degree in school administration there.

He served as a teacher/coach at schools, primarily high schools, in Wilkes, Ashe, Caldwell, Stanly and Alexander counties.

"I've taught a little bit of everything," he remarked.

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