13-05-2025
Merritt Brown Middle's Amber Hart praised for leadership
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Merritt Brown Middle School's Amber Hart is close to completing her first year as principal of the school.
But when you speak to those around her, you would guess she has been at the helm for decades.
One of the many ways Hart has made an immediate impact across the school is by having a positive and contagious attitude.
'She comes in, never a frown on her face, always happy, always smiling, greeting people, laughing and talking, supportive, always asking 'What can I do to help?'' said Merritt Brown Middle School Counselor Karen Parham. 'She doesn't mind rolling up our sleeves, getting dirty.'
Hart feels that one of the marks of a great principal is strong leadership.
She wants everyone at merritt brown to know that she is behind them all the way.
'I am a lead-from-the-front kind of person,' added Hart. 'I'm never going to ask you to do something that I won't do. I really hope that they feel like I have their back and that I support them.'
Kristen Vincent spreads positivity at Tommy Smith Elementary
Whether it's students or faculty, Hart makes herself easily accessible and approachable.
'She has an open-door policy,' Parham went on to say. 'She comes in before everyone else, and she leaves after everyone goes home. So there's always an opportunity to speak to her, to talk to her, to share ideas. If someone comes to her and wants to try something, she'll say, 'Let's try it, let's see.'
Hart used to teach first grade at Tommy Smith Elementary, and with her now being the principal at Merritt Brown, she gets the chance to work with her former students once again.
To Hart herself, it's a true honor to be in the position she is in.
'Coming back here and having the opportunity to influence these children and build the relationships with them,' Hart said. 'To let them know that I care about them and I love them and I believe in them, and I know they're going to do great things.'
That is what makes Amber Hart a Class Act.
As always, if there is someone who you think is a Class Act, don't wait to nominate them today.
All Panhandle school employees are eligible for this award.
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