Since the beginning of educational systems, America’s school principals don’t get enough credit—at least in my opinion. I’ve been a principal and I’m here to tell you it’s a job worthy of respect. But in popular culture [movies and television shows specifically], principals are often portrayed as full of themselves...out of sorts, out of touch, and generally out to get kids. Don’t get me wrong, just like in every other profession, there are “bad” principals...but in my experience, school principals are some of the men and women I admire the most. Here at Timothy, our building principals are two leaders that I learn from each day. I have some great captains! Education has become highly sophisticated and complex. So as somewhat of a “simple man,” I really count on these two. In our 110 year history, we’ve had 23 elementary school principals (K-8 or a variation), and 8 high school principals (since the high school started in 1951). Here’s a closer look at the two most current.

Brad Mitchell (high school principal) graduated from Timothy in 1989. Most people don’t know that he spent a portion of his professional career in business before switching over to education. Brad has worked in three large public school districts before coming back to Timothy, and he is now in his 10th year as our high school principal. Brad is nearly finished with a PhD program where he will soon earn his doctoral degree in Educational Technology. Brad brings a lot to our school! He generates ideas, and he is frequently rethinking and reinventing classroom strategies. Currently Brad is the president of the Metro Suburban Conference, which is made up of 14 area schools—both private and public. He also leads and facilitates educational meetings and seminars with other schools — locally and nationwide. Recently he was asked to lead an educational support systems training through Grand Canyon University for scores of other school principals across America. Our school has witnessed record ACT scores during his time as principal, and we have experienced many other academic achievements including a Scholastic Bowl State Championship and a National Blue Ribbon Award. Brad ushered in PLC time and more professional development for our teachers too. RENEW, which will be back in January 2022, was also launched during Brad’s principalship. And most recently, Brad chaired the expert task force that built our remote learning model last spring and the “all of the above” models for the current school year. 

Justin Horne (K-8 principal) has quickly emerged as a strong leader at our school. Leading the way at a Blue Ribbon and Green Ribbon school in Hinsdale before coming to Timothy, we have been immediately and tremendously blessed by his influence. Justin has earned National Board Certification, which is a rare and highly respected professional certification for teachers —the gold standard for educators. He double-majored in elementary education and psychology while at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and then received his Master's of Education in Administration at Loyola University. Some of you still haven’t had a chance to meet Justin, and many of you still haven’t seen his full face. Justin is a servant leader, he is a listener, and he is a problem-solver. Justin has very little time to spend in his office. He is constantly in the halls, on the playground, and in our classrooms. His utility roles during this particular year also include substitute teacher, recess monitor, guitar player, and a friend to Troy (our mascot). Justin possesses a strong work ethic. He doesn’t cut corners or take shortcuts, which you may already know earns a lot of respect with me. Justin has proven to be highly collaborative, while still maintaining a uniquely calm firmness to make the tough calls. God has brought Justin to Timothy “for such a time as this.” He is an innovator and widely considered an expert in instruction and learning.

These two are my friends. We care for each other enough to be honest with each other, we trust each other enough to argue, and we work well together. They have helped to place our school in the pole position as a leader in preK-12 academia — regionally and nationally. But above all, Brad and Justin love Jesus and they love our students. They share a deep desire for our young people to fully live out their purpose in the world for Christ. I’m honored to serve alongside them in this great Kingdom work.