BACKGROUND INFO
Rick Carter is a eighteen year public school educator; fifteen years as an administrator. He holds an undergraduate degree, a Master’s degree, and Educational Specialist’s degree in administrative leadership from Jacksonville State University. He also has a Doctorate of Education in administrative and instructional leadership from Lipscomb University. During his career at Jacksonville State University, he lettered four years in football while serving as a Team Captain in 96. Other honors and awards received during his career as a gamecock include: 96 & 97 Southland Football Commissioners All-Academic Team, 96 Special Teams Player of the Week on 3 separate occasions, 96 & 97 All-American Academic Team, 96 & 97 All-American Academic Team, 94, 95, 96, 97 Gamecock 3.0 or higher club, 96 & 97 National Health & Physical Education Award Winner, Jacksonville State University 96 & 97 Department of Health & Physical Education Honors Award.
He is in his 2nd year as Executive Direcetor for Innovative Programs with Athens City Schools after serving seven years as a high school principal while achieving two of Alabama’s highest honors.
He was named Alabama’s Principal of the Year in 2013 and the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS) Leadership Award for Alabama in 2013. He also led his school in a transformational one to one initiative with Apple earning his school system the National Apple Distinguished System title in 2014-15 while adding Apple Distinguished Principal to his list of honors.
In 2015 working under his new title as Virtual Coordinator for Athens City Schools, he helped launch Alabama’s first full online public virtual school in Alabama. His experiences include assistant principal, athletic director, elementary teacher, secondary teacher, and coach.
Dr. Carter speaks frequently on school improvement, school culture, and technology integration on both the national and state levels. He serves as a mentor for new principals and assistant principals for the Alabama State Department of Education. He received his mentor certification from The National Association of Elementary School Principals.
Dr. Carter has been married to his wife, Shannon Carter for more than seventeen years They have four children, Helen Grace, Katelyn Marie, Sarah Jo, and Megan Sally.
HIS PROFESSIONAL HONORS & OFFICES:
2018 National Principal Advocate Award Winner (NASSP)
2014 National Principal of the Year Nominee (NASSP)
2013-14 Alabama's Principal of the Year (AASSP)
2013-14 Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools Leadership Award for the State of Alabama
2013-14 Nominee for the National Principal of the Year
University of Alabama Superintendents Academy Class of 2012
Alabama State Coordinator for the National Association of Secondary Schools Principals (NASSP)
Region 8 (Fl, Ga, La, Miss, Al, & Texas) Representative for State Coordinators in the Advisory Council for NASSP Alabama Association of Secondary Schools Principals
District 6 President for Alabama Association of Secondary Schools Principals
District 6 Vice-President for Alabama Association of Secondary Schools Principals
Board of Directors for the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS)
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Regional Speaker