PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Education is a family tradition for new Pikeville Elementary Principal Glenda Adkins.
Her father, Chester Bailey, was a longtime principal at the school, and her mother, Sylvia Bailey, was a longtime educator as well.
Now following in her father’s footsteps, Adkins has been hired by the school’s site-based council to be the new principal, following the retirement for former principal Bobby Jones after 15 years.
“What an honor to lead the school I love and to do this work with the amazing staff and students along the path to excellence and success,” Adkins said. “It is one of the greatest honors of my life for many reasons. I am SO thankful for this opportunity and will give it my all as we work together to lead PES to continued growth and success.”
Adkins is no stranger to the school, having spent her entire career there.
“Mrs. Adkins has a great love for Pikeville Independent Schools, and she has clearly demonstrated this love over her years of service to the district,” Pikeville Supt. David Trimble said about the hiring. “Mrs. Adkins has spent her entire career successfully teaching and mentoring the students of Pikeville Elementary. She is passionate about the continued growth and success of the school she loves, and I know we are going to see great things happening at PES as she uses this passion to lead the outstanding staff and students. I am excited for Mrs. Adkins and the opportunity set before her, and look forward to working with her in this new role.”
Adkins began as a teacher in 1990 and has more recently served as assistant principal. She graduated Pikeville College in 1989 and later received a master’s degree and Rank I from Morehead State University. She also received a reading recovery certification from Kentucky Valley Education Cooperative.
She was inducted into the University of Pikeville Distinguished Educators Hall of Fame in 2019, an honor also shared by her father, who was a member of the Hall’s first class in 2010.
