Wes Thomas is the Assistant Principal at East Salem Elementary School. A native of Grayson County, Thomas has spent over ten years in the education field. Colleagues rave about his professionalism and students love his sense of humor. The father of three is this week’s Q&A participant.
What’s the history between you and the City of Salem?
I was working in the Atlanta area in 2014, when a friend of mine told me about an opening in the Salem School System. I was looking to get back to this portion of Virginia, so I interviewed for the position as the assistant principal here at East Salem.
Talk about your education background. Where did you go to school?
I think like most people, my education started at home. I grew up on a small farm on the edge of the Elk Creek Valley of Grayson County, Virginia. I spent a good deal of my childhood in the forests and hills of the area. I attended Grayson County High School. From there I went to the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, where I became licensed to teach preschool through sixth grade. I spent the next six years mainly teaching history in Floyd County, Virginia. At night I completed my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership through Radford University.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
Without a doubt, my three daughters. I find myself tearing up with pride much more for their accomplishments than I ever have with my own.
How did the you become the Assistant Principal at East Salem Elementary?
I interviewed for the position and after the offered me the opportunity I gladly accepted it.
What are some things you like to do in Salem?
I enjoy the small town feel of the East Main area. I’ve enjoyed many a nice meal and evening stroll along the sidewalks. My daughters and I also enjoy the kite festival at Green Hill Park. We’ve made that a yearly event for our family.
Are there any books you’ve read that you would recommend to others?
For a nonfiction book, I would recommend one of the few books I’ve read more than once. “The First Day on the Somme”, by Martin Middlebrook, is full of firsthand accounts of that day in 1916. The book always reminds me how brave and resilient the human spirit can be. When it comes to fiction, I keep coming back to “The Name of the Wind”, by Patrick Rothfuss. I would describe it as Oliver Twist meets “Lord of the Rings.” It’s an adventurous tale written in a way that saturates your senses and really draws you into its world.
Who are some people that inspire you?
I would say both my mother and father, both have traits that I try and emulate today. First, my father’s work ethic. He always had two or more jobs. He also has a way of making every person he talks to feel comfortable around him and feel what they are saying has value. Next, my mother’s courage to go out and learn new skills and for using those skills to help others has always been something I’ve tried to live up to.
What motivates you?
I think my motivation is similar to that of many others out there. I simply want to make this planet a better place than I found it. I feel this is a commonality that tends to be overlooked amongst us. I feel lucky that I get to work with our “future” in an impactful way that, hopefully, will make the world a better place for all.
What does an average week look like for you?
Well, an average week working with over 400 children, ages 3-11, is at its root never average. I think that is part of the draw of my job. I can’t tell you what tomorrow will look like, the possible variables are too vast. Overall, I help children grow. I help them learn from their mistakes, think for themselves and look to help others. I usually go home mentally exhausted, but with a sense of accomplishment that makes it worth getting up and doing again the next day.
If you could go back and give an 18-year-old Wes some advice, what would you say?
I would encourage myself to spend less time thinking and worrying about the choices I didn’t make and spend more time looking at the choices ahead of me.
-Compiled by Shawn Nowlin