With only two weeks to go before school started, the Madison County Board of Education named Todd Dreifort as the new principal at Sparkman High School.
Being a principal was not always Dreifort’s career goal. He played college baseball at Witchita State University and spent some time in the minor leagues before starting his career in education.
“I wanted to be a professional athlete, but over the course of my time in education being a teacher, coach and administrator, it’s a been very rewarding experience,” Dreifort said.
Dreifort has worked in education for 29 years. Within those 29 years, he has been an educator, athletic coach and administrator. Thirteen of those years were spent being a principal. Although he enjoys his job as a principal, sometimes it does get difficult.
“There is no particular flow to a day because everything comes at you so fast and just when you think you’re about to get things done something else comes flying right at you,” Dreifort said.
As a new principal, Dreifort has goals for Sparkman. Those goals include making sure the building is safe for all who enter, ensuring that all students receive an appropriate and top-notch education, graduate and that everyone is ready for their college, careers and military.
“I want Sparkman High to be a destination school for people across the Huntsville area, we want our students to be explementary either in sports or in the classroom when they go to college. I want people to look at Sparkman and say ‘that’s where I want to send my kids,'” Dreifort said. “I want everyone who’s involved to be an elective an activity to be able to look back and say ‘I really enjoyed my time here at Sparkman’.”
Dreifort feels that he was welcomed with open arms. He says he has enjoyed seeing the diversity with the student body that he sees as a more representative of the real world.
“My time so far has been great and busy and everyone has been very welcoming and kind which has made my start here very enjoyable,” Dreifort said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity and I am very thankful I have received this opportunity and so far it has been a tremendous place to work at, and the staff has worked so hard. It’s Just a good place to be.”
Dreifort says his biggest achievement as a principal occurred when he worked in Kansas. The school won an award for being the first high school in Kanas to be named a National School of Character.
Dreifort held class meetings the first week of school to introduce himself and the other administrators. He informed the students that he wanted them on the right path of their education and encouraged students to get involved in school activities. Students have responded well to his open personality.
“I think he’s alright.” junior Isaac Casada said. “I appreciate that he’s trying to be involved.”
Dreifort says that seeing students working hard motivates him to continue doing his job.
“Being able to come to school and being able to work with young men and women to see the outcome of their hard work makes me happy,” Dreifort said.
