Brown named as Flomaton principal

The students and staff of Flomaton Elementary School will see a new face this fall as Flomaton native George Brown steps up to be the new principal at the school, following the retirement of former Principal Diane Holmes due to health reasons.

Known as 'Bubba' when he was in school at Flomaton, Brown has worn many hats in the education arena before he returned to his hometown, working as a custodian, coach, teacher, bus driver and now principal.

A 1995 graduate of Flomaton High School, he went to Jeff Davis (now Coastal Alabama Community College) for two years, then got a bachelor's degree in special education at the University of West Florida.

“While getting my special education degree, I was employed with Escambia County (Ala.) schools as groundskeeper and part-time custodian for a couple of elementary and middle schools during the summer,” said Brown. “Then I was hired as a special education teacher at Escambia County Middle School in 2000. Then in 2002 I transferred to Escambia County High School, where I taught special education. There, I coached junior varsity boys basketball and was the assistant baseball coach. Mr Melvin Buck Powell was school superintendent, so he allowed me to coach football at Flomaton High School. My last year, there, I was offensive coordinator and also served as the head girls basketball coach while teaching at ECHS.”

Brown said in 2005, the new Spanish Fort High School opened up. He received a call that engaged his interest in going there, so he became the head girls' basketball coach and assistant football coach, as well as a special education teacher.

“It was the first year the high school existed,” said Brown of Spanish Fort High School. “From 2005 to 2013, I taught special education there, and we were part of several state championships the school acquired in football and baseball. I've coached tennis, golf, football, girls basketball and more.”

In 2011, Brown said he got out of coaching altogether to pursue his master's degree in administration, which was his goal, his end point. Brown said he always wanted to do that. He said he drove a bus route for two years while getting his master's degree.

In 2013, Brown got his administrative degree and was able to become the assistant principal at Spanish Fort High School.

“I had a conversation with Scott Hammond as we've remained friends, and he mentioned the position coming open,” said Brown. “I love kids and I love Flomaton, so it just seemed like a good fit.”

Brown and his wife, Danielle Watson Brown, a native of Bay Minette, have four children. They are 5-year-old Bear, 8-year-old Ryder, 2-year-old Story Jean and 1-year-old Juniper Rae. Right now the couple lives in the Bay Minette area and plans to move closer eventually, but for now Brown says he will continue to commute to Flomaton until they can secure a home closer to his new job.

Brown's grandfather, George Arnold Brown, Sr., was the principal at Flomaton Elementary/Middle School from 1965 to 1986, and his grandmother worked as a teacher's aide all those years.

“I thank Mr. Knott for the opportunity,” said Brown. “I feel like our mission as a staff at Flomaton Elementary School is to establish an academic foundation for all students there so they can be prepared for the rigors and expectations of Mr. Hammond at the high school. I also think it is important that we develop and enforce a level of character and discipline in all if our students. 90 percent of these kids will be parents and spouses one day. I feel like we have a role in helping them become great at both of those. My personal motto for that school is that Flomaton Elementary School students will strive to respect others, work hard, make good decisions, smile a lot and love other people.”

Brown officially takes over as principal of Flomaton Elementary School on Monday, July 2, 2018.