By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

As principal of Creek View Elementary School, Brent Byars takes his position very seriously. An Alabaster resident since he was a baby, Byars has been known and admired by many locals throughout the years.

As son of minister Mike Byars, of First Baptist Alabaster, and Janis Brandon Byars, he has the reputation of a fine Christian man, locally raised, Thompson High School and University of Montevallo educated, married to a local and a father of three – Brook, 5, Hudson, 2, and Maryn, 1.

Byars and wife Christy tackle church, family, school and civic responsibilities with determination and zeal. When ask if he always smiles Byars remarked, “I know people need to see a smiling face and someone to lift their spirits so I strive to have a smile on my face most of the time. I am generally a happy person.”

Before coming to Creek View, Byars served at Helena Elementary, Helena Middle and was at Thompson Intermediate for five years.

“Last year when Ms. Dixon retired I was offered the job and was grateful for the opportunity. I learned so much from Ms. Dixon when I worked with her at Thompson Intermediate. She had a great influence on me,” said Byars.

“My top four values for education of our students are to provide highest quality education for each student, to analyze and address all areas of strength and improvement to our school, to partner to increase parent and family involvement and finally to hire, develop and retain highly qualified teachers and staff,” he said.

Someday, Byars wants to take his dad and sons to the College World Series for the week and watch every game. At some point, when the children are a bit older, Byars wants to take his wife to Europe.

“I could never have achieved all this without her,” he said.

Until then, Byars is happily focused on being a tool for Christ by teaching Sunday school, being a deacon, letting others see Christ in him and guiding our “upcoming citizens” through their early education.