• Tom Harrell, District 5

  • Education

    B.S. in Education, University of West Florida
    M.S. in Educational Administration & Supervision, Troy State University
    Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, University of South Alabama

    Biography

    Tom Harrell was born in Dothan, Alabama. His family moved first to Tallahassee, Florida and then to Niceville, Florida, where he attended elementary and junior high and graduated from Niceville High School. After high school graduation, Mr. Harrell attended Okaloosa-Walton State College and moved to Pensacola to complete his education at the University of West Florida. Shortly after moving to Pensacola, he met his wife (Verna Joyce), and they have been married for fifty-four years. Tom and his wife have lived in District Five since 1976 and have three wonderful children who all attended schools in the District (L. D. McArthur Elementary, R. C. Lipscomb Elementary, Ranson Middle School and Tate High School). Also, they have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Both Tom and his wife have retired from the Escambia School District. 
        
    Employment

    • Teacher Ransom Middle School - 17 Years
    • Assistant Principal At Brentwood Middle School - 3 Years
    • Principal at Escambia Westgate School - 5 Years
    • Principal at R.C. Lipscomb Elementary School - 10 Years
    • District Administrator on Special Assignment - 1 Year
    • Principal Capstone Academy - 2 Years

    Honors

    • Principal of the Year for Escambia County School District
    • Teacher of the Year for Ransom Middle School
    • Recognized Twice by the Escambia County School Board for Outstanding Service
    • Associate Master Teacher for the State of Florida
    • Paul Harris Fellow - Cantonment Rotary Club


    Government

    Elected Escambia School Board Member for District 5 in 2024

    Community

    • Lifetime Member of the PTA
    • Member of the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA)

    Former Member of:

    • Solutia Community Advisory Committee
    • Cantonment Rotary Club
    • National Association of Elementary School Principals
    • Florida Association of Elementary School Principals
    • Escambia Association of Administrators in Education
    • Richard's Memorial United Methodist Church Council
    • Former President of Methodist Men's Group at Richard's Memorial United Methodist Church