Ricky Sharp, II

Age: 31
Education: BA in Biology and Environmental Science, MA Secondary Education, Education Leadership Certificate
Wife: Alanna
Pets: Harley, a Weimaraner, one cat and one fish
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, skiing, bowling, boating, camping
Favorite Book/Author: ﾓAdventures of Huckleberry Finnﾔ by Mark Twain

Education wasnﾒt Ricky Sharpﾒs first choice for a career when he was attending college, but he found himself drawn to working with children.

ﾓI was enrolled in the pre-med program at Davis & Elkins College,ﾔ Sharp said. ﾓDuring my last year of D&E, I worked for the Alldredge Academy, a private school for troubled youth in Tucker County.ﾔ

In his time at Alldredge, Sharp served as a mentor and a counselor. In the village setting of the academy, Sharp would spend three nights at a time on-site to work with the students.

ﾓI was responsible for teaching students skills, virtues and morals,ﾔ he said. ﾓI really enjoyed my job working with the students and felt as if I was really making a difference in their lives.ﾔ

On days he wasnﾒt at Alldredge, Sharp also served as a substitute teacher in Randolph and Grant counties.

ﾓOn the recommendation of my supervisor, I started to pursue my teaching certificate online, through Marshall University,ﾔ he said. ﾓThis led me to the science teacher position for Alldredge. From that point, I moved into the public school system, working for Tucker County High School.ﾔ

Making the move to Principal at Hillsboro Elementary School was a natural step for Sharp.

ﾓI feel that this career move is an excellent fit for me,ﾔ he said. ﾓIﾒm extremely motivated and like to see things as they progress and Hillsboro has some room for improvement.ﾔ

Coming into a school that has a record of poor test scores may seem like entering a battle too late, but Sharp is ready to get his hands dirty and turn the school around.

ﾓI know that the test scores at Hillsboro have traditionally been low, but I feel with some stability and consistency in the school, the scores will improve,ﾔ he said. ﾓDuring the time that Iﾒve already spent at Hillsboro, Iﾒve discovered itﾒs a wonderful community, which has a great school with a talented staff and dedicated citizens.ﾔ

Using positivity as his credo, Sharp is ready for the school year.

ﾓI feel that one person can make a difference and I chose to become a principal to make a difference,ﾔ he said. ﾓI like to think that I can make a difference in the school, community and maybe even statewide; however, I will even be satisfied with making a difference in one childﾒs life.ﾔ

Sharpﾒs goals for the year are like any other goals a principal would have for their school ﾖ to succeed.

ﾓI would love to see the schoolﾒs test scores meet AYP as directed by the state; however, I want to set and determine obtainable goals with my staff at the start of the year. I have a lot of information to share with my staff and students and still have the desire to learn from them at the same time.

ﾓIﾒm looking forward to meeting and getting to know all of my staff, students and community members surrounding HES,ﾔ Sharp added. ﾓI want to learn as much as humanly possible about my school as a whole.ﾔ