Meet Brian Moore! Brian is the principal at Jefferson High School and just completed his 25th year in education. Mr. Moore grew up in Watkinsville and attended Oconee High School and the University of Georgia.
“Prior to coming to Jefferson I worked in Barrow County for 19 years. This is my sixth year at Jefferson. I’ve been in charge of instructional technology for the system, I’ve been assistant principal at the high school, and now this is my second year as principal here,” he said. 

We want to thank Mr. Moore for taking the to tell us more about his life and love of Jackson County.

Question: What brought you to Jefferson from Winder?
Answer: “If you’re from this area, you’re going to know the kind of schools that the Jefferson school system has. I wanted to be a part of it. When I found an opening for something that I might be interested in, I was excited about it. I think the reputation of the school system, working here, and having my three children being in it, was a big part of it all.”

Q: How old are your children?
A: “My oldest Brice is 19, he graduated last year. My oldest daughter Hannah is 17, she’s a junior this year. And my youngest, Abby is 14, so she’s an eighth grader. Jan, my wife, is an educator as well. She teachers elementary school, and is now an instructional coach in Barrow County.”

Q: What’s your favorite thing about Jefferson High School?
A: “I like it because there’s a lot of different areas that I think we do really good things in. I think we do great in academics, I think we do great in athletics, I think we do great in fine arts, but beyond those things, there is a place for every student. There are clubs for that student that has an interest in FBLA, or FFA, so we have something for everybody. There is even something for those kids who like vinyl records. We try to meet the needs of our students.”

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Jackson County?
A: “I’m going to make somebody mad, but my wife and I like to eat Mexican food, so I’m a big Gringo’s fan.”

Q: Who is one of the most interesting people you’ve met in Jackson County?
A: “Jack Purcell, people call him Daddy Jack. He’s an interesting guy, in that people seem to know all about him. He was a former school teacher, retired since. He is the father-in-law of Doug Thurman, who is our wrestling coach, and the father of Mrs. Thurman, who is one of our middle school teachers. He’s an older gentleman, but whenever I see him he says, and he says it half jokingly, that there are two things you have to do as a school principal. ‘You have to make sure your bathrooms are clean, and you have to have a good football team.’ But he’ll also come over and tell me that I need to cut the prices to the basketball games. He’s always giving me some advice.
“There’s also Mrs. Blackstock, who is 100 years old. She has been the only female administrator at Jefferson High School, until we hired Jenny Hardy, who is one of our AP’s. So, Daddy Jack, goes and reads to her everyday. He’s that kind of guy.”

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
A: “I like places that are warm. I would probably go to Italy, maybe, for the history and culture.”

Q: What’s something on your bucket list?
A: “The travelling would probably be it.”

Q: What’s the first movie you saw in the theater?
A: “The first ‘Rocky.'”

Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Be kind, be helpful, work hard. Don’t be afraid to help people.”

Q: Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?
A: “Ten years, maybe not in education. In five years I hope to still be here in Jefferson!”

Q: What three words come to mind when you think of  the word “Home?”
A: “Family, fun, and comfort.”

The Faces of Jackson County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email abernathycochran@gmail.com.