Get to know Jay Whitehair, Principal at Laing Middle School
November 18, 2015
Jay Whitehair is the principal at Laing Middle School for Science and Technology and brings his positive attitude with him wherever he goes. According to students and staff, he is one of the most visible faces at the school and wants to be known by each and every student.
Every day he can be found walking the hallways with students; his voice pours over the intercom during announcements; and he’s always popping up in the cafeteria.
Originally from West Virginia, this is Whitehair’s eighth year at Laing and his third as principal. An avid sports fan, he grew up playing basketball, baseball, football, and golf throughout his life. He describes his non-work hours as either spending his time with family or being involved watching sports and attempting to play sports.
According to Christian Huggins, sixth grade social studies teacher at Laing, the smiling faces at Laing are because of what Mr. Whitehair brings to the table. “He works really hard for our school and that is really evident,” said Huggins. “He makes sure every student knows him…and that helps build our positive environment.”
Whitehair is actively involved in the success of all of his students and works to lift up historically underserved communities that have demonstrated high academic ability but may not have the supports needed to prepare for rigorous coursework. He created the Laing Leaders for Tomorrow program to foster this talent, close the achievement gap, and start students on the college-bound pathway before high school.
“If it wasn’t for Mr. Whitehair, then I wouldn’t be here today. He created the Laing Leaders to help us be able to be better students and get better grades,” said Julia Johnson, Laing eighth grader.
Whitehair is married to his with wife Nancy, and has a 12 year old daughter who also attends school at Laing. The Whitehair family has been part of the Mt. Pleasant community for 12 years.
Watch a short video on Jay Whitehair by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWciOf6qv0Q
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWciOf6qv0Q”]
