A Norman Park native has returned to his roots in Colquitt County as  principal at Willie J. Williams Middle school where it will be another homecoming of sorts to the school where he started his career.

Jamie Horne, who took over on July 1, replaced former Principal Dough Howell who was named director of student services for the Colquitt County School System.

Horne brings with him many years of experience, as well as a desire to see students achieve, the system said in a news release. He is in his 13th year as a principal, having served as principal of Lee County High School – 9th Grade Campus since 2007; before that, Horne was the principal of the Transitional Learning Center in Lee County for six years.

Horne began his career in education as a math/science teacher at Willie J. Williams Middle School in 1993, where he taught for one year before transferring to Lee County Middle School as a science teacher. Horne taught there for four years before accepting an assistant principal position at Lee County Elementary. He served as an assistant for three years before becoming principal of the Lee County Transitional Learning Center.

Horne earned his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Georgia, his master’s degree in health/physical education from Albany State University, his leadership degree in education from Columbus State University, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Argosy University.

“Coming home brings my career full circle,” Horne said. “My family and I are excited about this new chapter in our lives. I look forward to working with the students, faculty and staff of Willie J. Williams Middle School. Together we can achieve great things. It is my goal to challenge students to dream, and then help them to achieve that dream.”

He and his wife Martha have four children: Ryan, Zachary, Spencer, and Lauren.