New Homewood Middle School assistant principal thankful for opportunity

One kid brought Joel Henneke to Birmingham, but hundreds of kids made him decide to stay.

For six years, he had been teaching in Texas. He did not plan on leaving, but when his wife became pregnant with their daughter, they decided to move to Birmingham to be near her family.

Now, after several years of serving in the Birmingham school system, Henneke has accepted the position of assistant vice principal at Homewood Middle School. 

For the past nine years, Henneke served as director of Pathways, a Homewood City Schools alternative school, working with at-risk students, counseling and guidance, residency and as a homeless liaison.

“I would get kids with discipline issues, but they really benefit from a structured program. That gives them a sense of security,” he said.

He plans on bringing what he has learned to provide a secure environment for students.

“Order and discipline, that’s my comfort zone,” he said. “Doing student discipline, I’ve gotten pretty good at that, but it’s a lot more than just doling out consequences. It’s really being able to connect with kids, parents, as well as your faculty and staff, teachers and really coming together.”

Henneke is excited for the opportunity to work with more kids, families and school activities.

“I’m excited to have a greater impact,” he said. “Just more connections with the kids, families, a bigger staff…that excites me.”

When he first moved to Birmingham, Henneke worked in special education at Homewood Middle School. During that time, he also earned his administrative certification from UAB. He then served as assistant principal at Hueytown High School for several years.

“Being a teacher here, I’ve come to really value the support they have for their schools. And not just families, but the whole business community, city council, school board,” he said. “It just seems like they’re all on the same track … ‘what can we do, what’s best for kids, how can we support that.’ I just think it’s a wonderful place to be.”

Before getting into education, Henneke spent four years in the Marine Corps, which he gives credit to for teaching strong leadership.

“What I’ve taken away is two principles,” he said. “Number one is troop welfare … You take care of kids, you take care of teachers, you let parents know we’re in this together. Number two is mission accomplishment.”

Henneke said he is also thankful and excited for this new experience.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to be part of this school system,” he said. “I want to get to know the kids, I want the faculty to feel like they’re supported. I’m on the team and we’re in this together ...It’s going to be a good year.”