Mr. Al Swilley, Principal
Mr. Al Swilley is a lifelong resident of Lowndes County, Georgia and has dedicated over 25 years to education. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Education from Valdosta State University in 2000 and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership in 2006.
Throughout his career, Mr. Swilley has made a significant impact on students' lives. He taught Math and English Language Arts and also served as Academic Coach at Valdosta Middle School for 14 years. During his time at VMS, he was honored to be voted school Teacher of the Year. Following this role, he served as the assistant principal at Sallas Mahone Elementary for four years before taking on the position of school principal at Pine Grove Elementary, where he proudly served for seven years. Beginning in June of 2025, Mr. Swilley joined Lowndes Middle School as principal.
Mr. Swilley credits his success to his faith in God and the mentorship of great leaders. Supporting teachers has always been central to his beliefs and he feels fortunate to have worked alongside numerous outstanding educators during his career. He looks forward to building positive connections and relationships with the teachers, staff, students, and parents. Mr. Swilley is passionate about leading Lowndes Middle School and ensuring students have a safe and friendly learning environment in which they are also challenged with rigorous academic instruction. He extends his gratitude to Mrs. Wilcher and the Lowndes County Board of Education for their confidence in him and for the opportunity to lead Lowndes Middle School.
Contact Me: alswilley@lowndes.k12.ga.us
Dr. Michelle Walden, Assistant Principal
Dr. Walden is a dedicated educator with a diverse teaching background and a well-rounded perspective. Over the past 13 years, she has taught a variety of subjects—including science, reading, literature, and social studies—to students in grades 6 through 12. Her career in education has included developing and implementing curriculum initiatives and school improvement plans, serving as a content and professional learning leader, and fostering an inclusive, collaborative school culture. Dr. Walden is dedicated to supporting teachers and staff in cultivating an environment where students thrive both academically and personally, nurturing their overall growth and development.
Contact Me: michellewalden@lowndes.k12.ga.us
Mr. Joshua Barfield, Assistant Principal
Josh Barfield is an experienced educational leader with more than 20 years of service in public education. He currently serves as Assistant Principal at Northside Elementary School, where he oversees Pre-K programs, serves as Testing Coordinator, MTSS Coordinator, EIP Coordinator, and manages student discipline for grades Pre-K through 5.
Prior to entering administration, Josh built a distinguished career as a mathematics educator. From 2015 to 2023, he taught 8th Grade Mathematics and Accelerated Algebra I at Hahira Middle School, serving as both Team Leader and Math Content Lead. His commitment to student achievement and instructional excellence earned him the Hahira Middle School Teacher of the Year award for the 2022–2023 school year.
Josh’s teaching experience spans middle and high school mathematics across multiple districts. He taught at Pine Grove Middle School, Lowndes High School, Hahira Middle School, and Fayette County High School, instructing courses including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Math Money Management. Throughout his career, he has held numerous leadership roles, including department chair, team leader, coach, and club sponsor.
His passion for education, curriculum development, and student success continues to guide his work as an instructional leader dedicated to creating positive learning environments and supporting academic growth for all students.
Contact Me: joshuabarfield@lowndes.k12.ga.us