Selma High School will soon be under new leadership, as the school board voted Tuesday night to hire a new principal.

Emma Theresa Alexander, who has worked in Mobile County Public Schools for approximately 18 years, was hired as the school’s new principal.

“I am elated to have Mrs. Emma Theresa Alexander as the new principal of Selma High School,” said Dr. Angela Mangum, superintendent of Selma City Schools.

“I really believe that we are fortunate in the Selma City School System to have her come aboard, so we’re looking forward to a bright future, and we’re looking forward to continuing our forward momentum in improving the Selma City School System.”

After the board voted, and Alexander’s hire was approved, Mangum introduced her to board members and people that attended the meeting.

“I have a lot of passion when it comes to children. I stand for children each and every day,” Alexander said. “That is my motto, and I’m always going to do what’s best for them.”

Alexander said she has played several different roles in Mobile County Public Schools, and she feels like that experience will benefit Selma.

“I’ve had a lot of jobs with the Mobile County Public School System,” Alexander said.

“I’ve gone from being an instructional specialist to an achievement specialist to an administrator to assistant principal, so I’ve done a lot of different jobs with the school system. I have a lot of knowledge, and I’ve been to a lot of training.”

Mangum said one of the most impressive things that stood out to her and the selection committee was Alexander’s passion.

“She really has a laser focus on students and what is best for students, and that really resonated with me and the committee that in every answer she put students first,” Mangum said.

Mangum said Alexander fit the mold of what they were looking for in Selma High School’s next leader.

“Because of her background in academics, in achievement, in instructional leadership, [and] in turning schools that have been low-performing into high performing schools, she provides the leadership and the guidance that Selma High School needs to move to the next level,” Mangum said.

Mangum said Alexander has a proven track record of improving low-performing schools.

Mangum said she helped improved graduation rates at her last school from the 60s to the 80s. She also helped an elementary school that was the second highest rated elementary school in the district.

Alexander is scheduled to start on Dec. 8, and she is ready to get to work.

“I plan to hit the ground running,” Alexander said.

“My door is open. That’s just me. That’s just who I am. I want people to feel that they can come to me, and I feel that is very important for people to know.”

The school’s former principal, Aubrey Larkin, resigned in early October to take a job in Hale County.