Louis Pizitz Middle School

Russell Leonard is one of three Assistant Principals at Louis Pizitz Middle School.  He is grateful to be able to have the opportunity to serve these students, as well as all stakeholders in this community. He is passionate about serving students, and working to provide them with the tools and opportunities to be successful in their next stages of life. 

Russell began his teaching career in 2013 at Gulf Shores Middle School teaching English Language Arts. Shortly thereafter, he got a job teaching English at Auburn High School, where he worked for the next five years. In addition to teaching, he also served as a basketball coach and cross country coach. After five years at Auburn, he began his administrative career as an Assistant Principal at Russell County High School in Seale, Alabama. The next year, his family relocated to Birmingham, where he went back in the classroom as an English teacher, basketball coach, and track and field coach at Helena High School. He was there for two years, before he became an Assistant Principal at Calera High School, where he worked for the next three years. In addition to his education career, he is currently working on his doctoral degree from the University of Alabama. 

Things that are very important to Russell include his faith and family. Russell and his wife, Morgan, have been married for 11 years, and are proud residents of Vestavia Hills. They have three children: a daughter named Anne Allan, and twin boys named Wingate and John Russell. In his free time, he loves spending time with his family, playing sports (especially golf), and cheering on the Auburn Tigers in all things (War Eagle!). He is excited to be coming to Pizitz Middle School and working to serve the Vestavia community.