As Edmond Memorial High School’s 2023-2024 school year comes to a close, Head Principal Brandi Wheeler has begun preparations for her move to Colorado. Closing in on her last day, Wheeler says her goodbyes to all of the staff and students she has been working with over the past five years.
“My first job was actually as a sophomore and junior assistant principal, and I went to be a freshman principal before I was promoted to head principal,” Wheeler said. “The last two years I have served as the head principal.”
Wheeler is now parting ways and will begin her new job as the head principal at Clear Creek High School in Evergreen, Colorado. This change was influenced by Wheeler’s husband’s career, which originally brought them from Texas to Oklahoma and now to Colorado.
I had received the job opportunity to be a principal,” Wheeler said. “It’s a 7-12th grade school, and so it is smaller than here. But I have a great group that I’ve met there.”
Her time as principal has been impacted by many students and staff, and with this change, she has expressed her difficulty with deciding to move, knowing it was hard to leave a family she had grown to know. With tears, Wheeler began preparing for the move.
“The reason I’m here is because of [the students], and I will absolutely miss this place,” Wheeler said. “I will never forget being a Bulldog.”
The drastic change has set a somber mood for the staff as they await the departure of their beloved coworker and leader. Wheeler’s secretary, Linda Keller, has felt especially saddened by the change.
“I’m gonna miss her so much; she seems like my daughter,” Keller said. “We have a very special relationship, and I’m going to miss her a lot.”
Wheeler has made memories with many members of her staff—from experiencing Swine Week to sporting events and activities. Carrie Higdon, the freshman principal, has been able to experience such events with Wheeler and has formed a strong friendship with her.
“Mrs. Wheeler is not only my boss but an amazing friend. She is loyal and supportive and will do all she can to help her students or the staff,” Higdon said. “I am so thankful for her friendship and the opportunity to learn and grow from her leadership. Colorado is so lucky to have her join their school community.”
Wheeler has expressed her appreciation and gratitude for having the opportunity to work with fellow staff members and the previous and current students who attend EMHS. With a final goodbye speech at the class of 2024 graduation, she shared her thankfulness to be leaving alongside the class.
“I know that [the school] is being left in good hands, with the new principal,” Wheeler said. “Memorial has been here long before me and will be here long after me.”
Transitioning to the new environment is challenging and as her beloved school says its farewells in return, enough is to be said that Wheeler has impacted EMHS greatly and it will miss her.
“These kids are awesome and our staff is amazing,” Wheeler said. “I don’t know another way to describe [the feeling] other than just the Bulldog way.”
Contact Jordan Graham at [email protected]
