DEMOPOLIS – About three weeks ago, West Alabama Prep welcomed Patrick George as its newest faculty member.

“I met him at the Marengo Leadership Conference,” WAP headmaster Lynn Compton said. “He was the coordinator for the event and I was so impressed with him when I saw him I asked him to come talk to our students.”

Although George didn’t know it, the professional motivational speaker was on his way to getting a new job.

“Once he got here, I felt like he was what we needed on our team to work with the students’ leadership skills,” Compton said. “He’s worked with the SGA on a national level.”

George said he was willing to take the position because it gives him an opportunity to teach and as a University of West Alabama student working toward a masters in education, that was a definite plus.

“I wanted the opportunity to build and this position is flexible with the other things I do so I can still do my speaking,” he said.

George is currently teaching eighth-grade world history and ninth-grade speech. He also works closely with seniors to help them apply for scholarships and is the school’s SGA advisor.

“I wanted the opportunity to build and with my presentations I say my speech and leave. I never get to see the impact,” George said. “But, here I get a chance to make an impact everyday and see it.”

In his spare time, George enjoys watching baseball, reading and spending time with his children.

“I am also in the process of writing a book,” he said. “And I am looking at possibly creating a summer leadership camp.”

George said he is enjoying his time at WAP and enjoys his students even more.

“He’s excellent in the classroom with his students and he is scheduled to do PTOs,” Compton said. “He’s already done a tremendous job with the SGA in such a short time.”