Martha Layne Collins High School is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Josh Gibson as the new principal, bringing with him a strong background in education and leadership.
Dr. Joshua Matthews, Superintendent of Shelby County Public Schools, stated,
“During our selection process, Mr. Gibson distinguished himself as the standout candidate. His deep understanding of our school community, combined with a forward-thinking approach, positions him perfectly to build on our achievements and guide Martha Layne Collins High School toward continued academic excellence. Known for his integrity and unwavering dedication, I’m confident that Mr. Gibson, alongside his exceptional team, will continue driving meaningful progress for both our students and staff.”
Mr. Gibson began his educational journey at Lindsey Wilson College, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History. He went on to receive a Master of Arts in Teaching and later earned an Education Specialist Degree from the University of the Cumberlands. With over nine years of experience in education, Mr. Gibson has served in a variety of roles that have shaped his leadership and vision. He began his teaching career as a social studies teacher at Casey County High School, where he taught for two years. He is currently serving in his third year as Assistant Principal at Martha Layne Collins High School, after serving as a social studies teacher at the school.
In these roles, Mr. Gibson has made significant contributions to student success and school operations. His leadership has included responsibilities such as serving as head baseball coach, teacher mentor, department chair, Site Based Decision Making Council (SBDM) teacher representative, and assistant principal. Mr. Gibson has also been actively involved at the district level, contributing to committees focused on the district calendar, accreditation, student leadership, and literacy.
SBDM Parent Representative Jason Haggard commented on Mr. Gibson:
“After numerous conversations within the school and broader community, it became clear that Mr. Gibson is highly respected by both staff and students. After five years at Collins, he has developed a deep understanding of the school’s culture and a genuine love for the community, often describing it as ‘a family.’ His interview performance truly set him apart, demonstrating a clear and thoughtful vision for the future.”
SBDM Parent Representative Bethany Smith also commented on the hire:
“Mr. Gibson is already deeply connected to the culture at Collins High School, which is so important to our families. I believe he will be an outstanding principal and a positive leader who embodies the qualities our school community looks for in a leader."
Mr. Gibson resides in Shelby County with his wife, Miriam, and their sons, Samuel and Clark. He can often be found attending Martha Layne Collins extracurricular activities or supporting his sons in their various interests.
Mr. Gibson shared his thoughts on the announcement:
“I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead our Collins community. I want to thank Dr. Matthews, the SCPS Executive Cabinet, and the Martha Layne Collins SBDM Council for their trust and the effort and consideration they put into the principal selection process. I will work each day to reward this faith. I am excited to support our students, staff, and community in meeting high expectations and growing the future leaders of Shelby County. I am confident we will all work together to ensure we make Titan Nation proud in the classroom, on the field and court, and throughout our community at large.”
Dr. Matthews concluded,
“I want to thank the Martha Layne Collins SBDM Council for their time and effort throughout the principal selection process. I also appreciate the strong engagement from our Collins community; many individuals took the time to complete the stakeholder questionnaires. We were thorough in seeking the best candidate for Collins, interviewing several individuals. Through this extensive process, the Council and I got to know Mr. Gibson as a potential principal, and he deserves credit for distinguishing himself. Finally, I want to express my gratitude to my executive cabinet for their dedication to this process, especially Dr. Hicks, who provided invaluable support throughout.”
Mr. Gibson will remain in his current role as Assistant Principal through December 31, 2025. Dr. Robert Bell will continue serving as Interim Principal until Mr. Gibson officially assumes the role of Principal on January 1, 2026.
