Moon describes CLAS Principal of the Year award as a team honor
As Russellville Middle School Principal, Dr. Monica Moon wears many different hats.
When called by a Franklin Free Press reporter Monday, Moon was wearing her 'custodian hat' as she mopped a floor on a day where the school was short staffed on maintenance staff.. She put the mop down briefly to share her reaction to being named the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS) District 7 North Principal of the Year last week.
Since its formation in 1969, CLAS has focused on children by providing administrators with the professional learning and resources needed to advance public education in Alabama.
In only her second year as RMS Principal, Moon reflected on the tremendous support she receives daily from her fellow administrators, faculty and staff.
“There were so many more deserving of this award who go unrecognized,” Moon said. “This award is not about me. This staff takes care of each other. And there were so many leaders before me who laid the groundwork for success at Russellville Middle School.”
Moon became RMS Principal after serving as the school's Assistant Principal starting in 2021. Principal Tony Bonds' resignation in the summer of 2024 led to Moon's promotion.
Moon's tenure with Russellville City Schools began when she was hired by former West Elementary School Principal Ramona Robinson. After nine years as a WES teacher, Moon was hired as the system's Instructional Technology Facilitator in 2014, a position she held for three years.
“They taught me a lot as well as those at the Central Office who see value in the ones coming behind them, keeping a level of excellence. It's never been or will it ever be a team of just one,” Moon said. “And at the end of the day, it's the teachers who make the educational experience an excellent one for our students.”
It was Robinson who first saw Moon's potential as an administrator. And Robinson shared that with Moon after her formal evaluation one year.
“She saw a lot of leadership ability within me. I was already working on my Masters at the time, so the timing just wasn't right,” Moon said.
Moon went on to earn her Masters Degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Alabama, her Education Specialist Degree in in Educational Administration and Supervision from Delta State in 2014, her Instructional Leadership Certification from UNA in 2015 and her Doctor of Education (EdD) in Rural Education: Organizational Change and Leadership in 2020 from the University of West Alabama.
She was now ready for a leadership position whenever God felt in His heart to bless her with one. That opportunity came in 2017 when the WES Assistant Principal job came open.
Dr. Tim Guinn recommended Moon as RMS Principal and the RCS Board of Education officially hired her in the summer of 2024, a move already paying dividends for the system.
“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Monica Moon for being named CLAS District 7's Principal of the Year. This recognition is a testament to her unwavering dedication, leadership and positive impact she has made on the students, staff and the Russellville City Schools community,” Guinn said. “Dr. Moon's hard work and commitment to excellence sets a standard for all of us and we are fortunate to have such an outstanding leader in our district.”
It's a true team effort at Russellville Middle School, though, and that's something not always seen in today's competitive world.
“Everyone here is so supportive to one another and genuinely want others to be successful and that's sometimes rare,” Moon said. “Everyone has been so supportive since I started. And that brings value to our whole system when everyone is driven to push each other to succeed.”
Russellville Middle School principal Dr. Monica Moon, left, is no stranger to awards. She received the Star Polisher Award by the Dan C. Hindman family in April 2025. She is pictured with RCS Superintendent Tim Guinn.
(Russellville City Schools / Facebook)