A new principal has been selected for Wilkey Elementary School.
Grayson County Middle School Assistant Principal David Morgan has been named the new principal of Wilkey. He takes over on July 1.
Morgan has been an assistant principal at the middle school since 2017 and previously taught science at Grayson County High School
With 21 years in education at the secondary level, Morgan is excited about the opportunities he sees to influence and impact students from the beginning of their school careers.
“My mom was an instructional assistant at the elementary level for 27-plus years, so I come from that background,” he said.
After visiting several elementary schools in the district to observe classrooms and instruction, he was sold on helping make that impact himself.
That will start with what Morgan calls his “number one,” priority of building relationships with staff and culture throughout the school community.
“I want to open those doors of communication and let them get comfortable with me, feel comfortable talking to me. I want to let them build their voice and understand that I am there for the teachers, I am there for the students, I am there for the parents.”
His experiences at the middle school, with its focus on core values, will also come into play. Morgan has seen firsthand the difference that foundation has made at GCMS and believes it will translate well at Wilkey.
“Certain things like grit, resilience, work ethic, honesty, and being a kind person,” Morgan said. “They have to learn that. I’m a big believer that if you want a kid to do something you have to teach them, you have to show them how to do it. You can’t expect them to just do it naturally. And I feel like this is where some of that starts.”
Morgan calls it “the beginning piece of the puzzle” to build a base layer of “values and skills that they’re going to need through school and in life. I’m excited to get to work with that. I’m excited to get to mold that, and start seeing the long-term change.”
“I’ve told my kids they can do anything in life. I’ve built them up, talked them up and I’m going to do that with them as well. You can go anywhere, you can do anything,” he stated.
Morgan also looks forward to working with parents.
“It takes a village. All of us have to be pulling at the same rope to work together. We have great teachers and staff,” he said. “We have great kids. We have a great community. I’m super excited to become a Bulldog. I’m super excited for the opportunity.”
Morgan received his bachelor’s degree from Murray State University and master’s from Bellarmine University. He earned his Rank I through Indiana Wesleyan and the Lead to Learn Principal program through the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative.
His wife Missy is a 22-year educator who teaches in Louisville. He is very proud of his two daughters, Ally Jo, a pre-nursing student at the University of Louisville, and Katie, who will enter The Gatton Academy in Bowling Green this August.
By Grayson County Schools and Ken Howlett, News Director
