Middle school can be a season of tremendous change, but incoming CCMS Principal Kirk Brooks sees those years as more than a time to master reading, writing and math. He believes they are an opportunity to help young people become honest, hardworking and compassionate adults.
"We are doing our best to help parents raise good kiddos," Brooks said. "Character matters. Let's create somebody you would want to hire if you started a business."
That belief has shaped Brooks throughout his career and drew him to Carroll County Middle School after serving the past four years as principal of the Carroll County Area Technology Center. He believes middle school is one of the most influential stages in a child's life. Students grow tremendously between fifth and eighth grade, creating opportunities to teach responsibility, integrity and perseverance alongside academics.
"I think one of the most important things everybody who has worked in middle school knows is you have to have so much grace and patience with the process of a kid transforming from a fifth grader to an eighth grader," he said. "It's just this really beautiful opportunity at this really critical stage of their life to infuse them with what is the most important."
Relationships are at the heart of Brooks' leadership philosophy. He believes every decision should begin by asking what is best for students and families, and he sees a principal's role as serving the entire school community.
"I believe a school leader is the servant of an entire community, their children, and a servant to a lot of teachers who have given their lives to serving the children and families of the community," Brooks said. “My job is to love, lead and organize people to provide the best, holistic educational experience the community can dream up together.”
His passion for working with young people began long before he entered education. As a teenager, Brooks planned to become a youth minister and attended Bible college after marrying his wife, Megan, at age 19. Although those plans changed, his desire to invest in the lives of young people never did.
After earning an English degree at the University of Louisville and becoming a father, Brooks entered an alternative teaching certification program that placed him in the classroom while he completed his master's degree.
"It was wild, so much fun and I fell in love with the kids,” he said, recalling he was so young in his first teaching job. The experience confirmed he had found his calling.
Brooks later served as a teacher, school leader and principal before joining Carroll County Schools. Along the way, mentors encouraged him to pursue school leadership and helped shape the servant leadership philosophy he carries today.
"I have a duty to love people, and that extends especially to the tough ones," he said.
Although Brooks has enjoyed leading the Area Technology Center and said he will leave his friends and colleagues with a heavy heart, he felt he was missing a deeper connection to a community where he could build lasting relationships with students and families. Carroll County Middle School offered exactly that opportunity.
"I love the idea that the middle school is right in the middle of a neighborhood," he said. "I'm excited to meet parents, work alongside our teachers and become even more invested in Carrollton."
Rather than arriving with a long list of changes, Brooks plans to spend his first year listening. He describes his approach as "aggressive listening," intentionally creating opportunities to hear from teachers, students, parents and community members before making major decisions. He hopes to host meet-and-greets, spend time with teachers in small groups and be present during the everyday moments that help build trust.
"I really am just genuinely excited to be at Carroll County Middle School, learning everybody's names and meeting the kids and their families," Brooks said.
Brooks will replace Dr. Robin Stephenson, who is now the Assistant Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer for Carroll County Schools.
“Mr. Brooks will lead CCMS with heart, integrity, and a student-first mindset. His love for Carroll County, commitment to our students and staff, and dedication to this community make him an excellent choice to lead CCMS,” Stephenson said.