Brian Aaron Carries On Family's Educational Legacy As New Northside High Principal

SAMANTHA, AL — Brian Aaron has been selected as Northside High School’s next principal, bringing nearly three decades of experience in education, along with family ties that stretch back to the school’s earliest years.

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Aaron, who served as the school's assistant principal and has worked for 28 years in the Tuscaloosa County School System, succeeds Jeremy Madden after he was selected as superintendent of Lawrence County Schools in September, as Patch previously reported.

Madden had led Northside since August 2024.

“I’m just thrilled to death,” Aaron told Patch on Tuesday. “I’ve loved my four-plus years up here.”

The Northport native also said he hopes to spend the rest of his educational career in Samantha.

“I know sometimes things change, but this is where I plan on making my last stop,” he said.

Aaron said he began his career as a science teacher and coach, primarily coaching baseball.

His time in the Tuscaloosa County School System has also included stops at Lloyd Wood Junior High, Echols Middle School, Sipsey Valley High School and Aaron's alma mater, Tuscaloosa County High School.

His connection to Northside, however, began long before his own career in education.

Aaron said his late father — longtime educator and coach Walter S. “Sonny” Aaron — taught and coached at Northside during the school’s first decade.

His late mother, former Northport Mayor Donna Aaron, was also a beloved educator who taught at Northside for a year before spending much of her career at TCHS.

ALSO READ: Sonny & Donna Aaron Honored At Northport Citizens of the Year Banquet

“I’m in the family business,” Aaron said.

Brian Aaron recalled accompanying his father to Northside games as a child and getting to know families of students his parents had taught. Those relationships gave him an early appreciation of the community he now serves.

Aaron also reflected on how his father continued returning to Northside sporting events after leaving the school and often spoke about wishing he had stayed there throughout his career.

Now, as more families move into the rapidly developing area north of Lake Tuscaloosa, Aaron sees managing growth as one of the school community’s biggest considerations.

However, he said the support Samantha residents show toward Northside High remains a defining quality.

“That’s another reason why I’m happy where I am,” he said.

As he takes on the principal’s role, Aaron said he wants families to know he is willing to listen and keep those relationships strong.

“Anything they want to ask about the school, I’ll be glad to talk to them,” he said. “And we want to keep the support to keep things rolling up here.”

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