As of August 1st, 2025, Mr. Pethal began his fourth year as principal at Armuchee High School (AHS). Since Mr. Pethal has been here for a while, he has learned a number of things. As his career progressed, he has made good and bad decisions, helping him learn as he went along. Mr. Pethal said, “I wish I could have the experience; you learn as you go, and I wish I knew what not to do.” He now has four years worth of experience in this job, making and shaping his abilities to the needs of the staff, students, and the school itself. He uses his experience to take care of AHS so that his students can have the best experience possible. Some of these decisions for the school’s future include the new renovations to the school.
Mr. Pethal has made many upgrades and changes to Armuchee High School over the time he has been principal. Mr. Pethal said, “I plan on celebrating and encouraging teachers and students.” The new upgrade to the pick up line, the doors, windows, and floor in the aux gym, are some of the renovations that Mr Pethal has made, but not all upgrades are physical renovations. He plans on working on the school’s mentality. Encouraging students to learn and love school, Mr. Pethal plans on elevating the student and teachers learning experience by encouraging focus: the word for the year.
Mr. Pethal has incorporated focus into the school in a few ways. Mr. Pethal said, “What you’re focused on will be magnified, and I want teachers to focus on coming in with a plan, [making] sure it is based on state standards, and that students are engaged in it.”
Students have been made to focus in many different ways. Whether it be through the new phone law or just for good grades, it is time to focus on teachers and students. He said that what you are focused on will be magnified, and so, teachers should focus on those three things. Dr. Olszanski said, “I work non-stop during school hours, always focused. I have a system so that I don’t stop until I am done.” Dr. O is a prime example of focus. She is constantly showing students how to focus in their daily lives.
All in all, Mr. Pethal has been a great principal and has done a great job leading this school over these past four years, and hopefully the many years to come.
