CULLMAN, Ala. – After more than three decades in education, West Elementary School Principal Dr. Jay Page is retiring this June.
Page has spent more than 20 years with Cullman City Schools, beginning his career in January 1992 as a P.E. teacher at East and West Elementary for one semester before moving to Cullman Middle School, where he taught social studies and math intervention. He later spent 10 years at Hartselle City Schools and served as assistant principal at Vinemont High School before returning to Cullman in 2005 as assistant principal at Cullman High School. He eventually became principal at West Elementary, where he has served for the past 13 years.
Page said one of the most meaningful accomplishments throughout his time at West has been guiding the school through major changes in academic standards. Shortly after his arrival, curriculum expectations became more rigorous, shifting from a focus on memorization to deeper understanding, particularly in language arts.
“We took those new standards and really dove into them and worked hard on them,” he said. “I think that helped our students.”
He credited teachers and instructional coaches for embracing those changes and helping position the school ahead of many others as new initiatives, including the Alabama Literacy Act, were introduced.
Throughout his career, Page said, his leadership philosophy has remained simple: encourage students, faculty and staff to work hard, act respectfully and improve a little each day.
“It’s just small increments of getting better,” he said. “Something a little bit better today. Over time, that makes a difference.”
While education has evolved, Page said, students themselves have remained largely the same.
“I don’t think kids have changed a whole lot,” he said. “What they have access to may be different, but they still want boundaries, and they respond to encouragement and expectations.”
Rather than pointing to a single defining moment, Page said his career has been shaped by countless daily interactions with students and teachers, as well as the ever-changing, unpredictable nature of school leadership.
“Every day is different,” he said. “There’s always something new, and there’s always something to learn.”
Stepping into his retirement, he described his departure as a “passing of the baton.” He acknowledged the strong foundation already in place at the school and recognized the legacy left by past principals and their impact, voicing confidence that the next leader will continue to build on that tradition. Page also expressed his thanks for the support he has received throughout his tenure, including from the school board, parents and the school’s parent-teacher association.
“I’ve just been very fortunate,” he said. “We’ve had a fantastic staff and a community that’s always supported us.”
Page’s retirement is effective June 30, 2026. Cullman City Schools has yet to announce who will succeed him as principal of West Elementary.
