For elementary school-aged children, an important part of development is building confidence, learning to believe and harboring healthy aspirations.

With Willie Wright taking the helm at Pike County Elementary School, the students there will have the opportunity to do those things. Wright makes for a perfect role model to show them just how to dream.

“I can take some of my life experiences and share that with them,” Wright said.

Some of those experiences, like Wright’s stint as a professional baseball player, will be enough to get many of his students wide-eyed and filled with motivation.

Originally from Grady, Ala., Wright started playing baseball early, traveling down to Pike County to do so.

“My parents would go to work in the morning and come home and take me to baseball practice,” he said.

The area was familiar territory to Wright’s mother who went to high school in Pike County.

Wright completed his high school studies in Montgomery County however, before coming to Troy State University as a physical education major.

After graduating, Wright landed a pitching gig in minor league ball under the White Sox organization.

But working on improving the future for young people was Wright’s true calling.

He left the pitchers mound for Admiral Moore Middle School (AMMS) in Eufala, leaving professional baseball to his brother Wesley, who is currently a big leaguer for the Houston Astros.

At AMMS Wright served three years as a P.E. teacher and he coached football, basketball and of course baseball.

He earned a Master’s degree from Troy in Educational Leadership and quickly thereafter found himself in the Pike County School System.

Wright worked as the assistant principal at Pike County High School for five years and there he hung up up another hat, this time his coaching one.

“Administration is a full time job,” he said.

And Wright will stay in administration, only now he wont be welcoming sixth graders to the high school, he’ll be preparing them for it.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. I’ve been blessed with a good staff and I’m just looking forward to keeping the Pike County Elementary School tradition going.”

Even outside the school halls, the nine-year educator has made it a priority to serve as a mentor.

“Working in the community, getting to know the kids is my hobby now…making a difference with the youth today to give them an opportunity to do something with their lives.”

Many parents in and around Brundidge are no-doubt hoping he can help make a difference as well, and prove that for the principalship of Pike County Elementary School, he is truly Mr. Wright.