The Greenbrier County School Board has announced the appointment of Kelly A. Huff to the position of principal of Greenbrier East High School.
“I am so excited to finally work in my community. It has always been my desire to return to where I began my instructional career and now the timing is right for Greenbrier County and for me. I am anxious to start my new journey with the GEHS family,” she said.
As a 16-year veteran of the public education system, Huff brings to Greenbrier East High School her strong instructional background, her passion for academia, and her profound dedication to student success.
Prior to joining the Spartan family, Huff taught English for 14 years and served as assistant principal for two years at Alleghany High School in Covington, VA. During her time at AHS, she sponsored organizations such as the National Honor Society and the junior class, coached a variety of events such as the girls’ soccer team and forensics team, served on many committees such as the Freshmen Transition Team and School Safety Council, and earned many awards such as the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year.
Though the bulk of her professional career has been spent in Virginia, she is not a stranger to Greenbrier County Schools as she completed her student teaching at GEHS, EGMS, and WGMS; also, she was the assistant girls’ soccer coach at GEHS while she was a substitute teacher for the system. Additionally, many of her husband’s family members are veterans and alumni of Greenbrier County Schools.
This connection to GEHS is one that Huff values, and she is looking forward to continuing the Spartan tradition of success.
“It is my goal to promote the success and welfare of the students, faculty, and staff and carry on the tradition of Spartan Pride!” she added.
Huff attended Virginia Tech (1996) and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, then pursued her Master of Arts degree in English at George Mason University (1999). She earned both her teaching licensure (2001) and administrative leadership licensure (2014) through Concord University.
Superintendent Sallie Dalton states, “We are confident that Mrs. Huff possesses the attributes required to successfully lead a school the size of Greenbrier East High School and we are delighted to welcome her to our team. She is a proven instructional leader who has tremendous energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to working with high school students. She will serve the school well in this vital role.”
Huff moved to Greenbrier County in 2000 from Northern Virginia by way of southern California and upstate New York. She is married to Damian Huff, a native to Greenbrier County, and is an avid outdoor enthusiast. If she is not working, she is outside gardening, road biking, mountain biking, canoeing, golfing, or reading on her back porch.
Kelly Huff will fill the position vacated by Jeff Bryant, who has served as head principal at Greenbrier East High School (GEHS) since 2001. He served as assistant principal from 1997 – 2001 and Director of Bands at the school for seventeen years (1980 – 1997).
Bryant, who will officially begin his tenure as Superintendent of Greenbrier County Schools on July 1, states, “Greenbrier East is a tremendous school and will be in great hands under Mrs. Huff’s leadership. I look forward to working with her as I transition to my new role as Superintendent. Spartan students, staff and families will be the beneficiaries of the deep knowledge, experience and excitement that Mrs. Huff brings to our school community. The students are going to really appreciate her enthusiasm!”