TCS Board Names Interim Principal of Westlawn Middle School

The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education has appointed a 21-year district veteran as interim principal of Westlawn Middle School.

The board approved Nakelya Mullins for the role on Tuesday. She succeeds Dr. Darlene Atkins, who is leaving Westlawn to take an administrative position with the Tuscaloosa County School System.

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Mullins comes to Westlawn from University Place Elementary School, where she most recently served as principal. Her career with TCS has included roles as a teacher, instructional coach, Summer Learning director, assistant principal and principal.

"Ms. Mullins is an experienced and accomplished school leader with a proven record of academic success and a deep commitment to students, families and employees," Superintendent Mike Daria said. "I am confident Ms. Mullins has the experience and leadership to build upon the strong foundation that has already been established."

She takes over a school that has seen significant growth under Atkins' leadership. In recent years, Westlawn earned recognition as both a State and National School of Character, a CLAS School of Distinction and received TCS's Moving the Needle Award. The school also achieved its highest-ever Alabama School Report Card score and was removed from both the state's Priority Schools and Targeted Support Schools lists.

Mullins and Atkins will work together in the coming days to ensure a smooth transition before the new school year begins. The district has posted the principal position at University Place Elementary and will announce that appointment once a candidate has been selected and approved.

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