Pinellas Park's new principal 'elated'

PINELLAS PARK -- On May 30, Valerie Brimm received a phone call that made her scream -- not from fear, but for joy.

On that day, she learned that she would be the new principal at Pinellas Park Middle. Brimm replaces Dennis Duda, the new principal at Tarpon Springs High.

"I was elated," she said. "I did a lot of screaming, praising God and thanking God."

Brimm said among her priorities will be bringing the school's grade, based on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, up from a C.

"The students seem so wonderful, and it's a dynamic group of kids," she said.

Brimm, an assistant principal at Safety Harbor Middle School, officially moves into her new role on July 1.

Brimm, 40, began working in the school system in 1986 after graduating from Florida State University. The Northeast High School alumna returned home to St. Petersburg to teach science and later physical education at Largo High School. During that time, she also earned a master's degree in educational leadership at the University of South Florida.

So in 1994 when Safety Harbor needed an assistant principal, Brimm was ready to fill the position.

Sally Barker, principal of Safety Harbor, worked closely with Brimm. "I figured out early on that she had great potential and she wouldn't be here long," Barker said. "It isn't very often you work with someone extremely talented and a great human being. Valerie is both."

Brimm said that Barker prepared her well for the new position and that many others helped her achieve her goals. "I had so many dynamic educators," she said.

For the last couple of years, she has worked on her doctorate in educational leadership at USF, while also working full time at Safety Harbor.

"I have a great husband," she said of Dwayne Brimm. Their daughters are Vivian, 11, and Monica, 8.

Brimm is excited about Pinellas Park Middle, which has about 19 percent learning disabled students.

"My favorite thing is to see kids excel," said Brimm, "to see growth in children."

Brimm hopes to eventually become a superintendent. "No matter what I do, I will stay in contact with kids," she said. "Even as a principal, I'm not an office-type person. I really get involved with kids."

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