Schools
Meet Gulfport Elementary's New Principal
Gulfport Elementary School's new principal shares a little about himself and what he likes about going back-to-school.
Mr. James Pribble is the new principal at Gulfport Elementary School. His favorite part of going back-to-school is meeting all of the families.
“I am looking forward to getting to know the community and the families. I am looking forward to seeing how I can serve them. I am more of a servant leader,” Pribble said. “I look forward to seeing the children and how excited they are about starting a new year. It’s fun to see their energy and excitement.”
Pribble is excited to be back in Gulfport. During the summers while he went to Eckerd College, he worked at the Gulfport Recreation Center for four years.
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“I love working with people and I love working with children. Especially children from a background similar to mine. I came from a background of not having much,” Pribble said.
Mr. Pribble has served in the Pinellas County Schools for about 18 years, he said. His previous experience in the county includes six years as Assistant Principal at 74th Street Elementary. At Melrose Elementary he was a Technical and Media Specialist, as well as a classroom teacher.
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Mr. Pribble is from Kentucky. His father was a farmer and his mother was a stay-at-home mom. One of his hobbies reminds him of his home state.
“I love playing golf. It get me out in the open fields like where I grew up,” he said.
Mr. Pribble said his biggest interest is helping others and building community.
Mr. Pribble loves serving as an educator. Although as a child Pribble’s career dreams were far from Earth. He wanted to be an astronaut. As he pursued options for college those plans changed.
“A heart murmur kept me from flying. It dashed my dream of being an astronaut.”
What lessons did Mr. Pribble learn from his favorite teacher, Linda Umpfress, as a child?
“She really taught us how to think and be critical. She taught us how to ask questions. She taught us how to see the world through our own eyes instead of the world’s eyes,” Mr. Pribble said.
Mr. Pribble is married. Their son attends Thurgood Marshall Middle School.