Principal's Bio

Mr. Van James has been an educator in the Birmingham area for 20 years.  He prides himself on creating an inclusive, supportive environment for staff and students alike and is beloved for his daily fist bumps and kind words to everyone he meets.  Mr. James is grateful for the opportunity to work in the community that he loves and cannot wait to see what the 2021-2022 school year brings.

Mr. James began his teaching career at Abrams Elementary School where he worked as a fourth grade teacher before joining Bessemer Middle School in 2012.  He then transitioned into the role of Assistant Principal at Jonesboro Elementary School before coming home to BCMS.

Van graduated from Alabama A&M with a Bachelor of Science (B.S), Elementary Education and teaching and completed a Master of Education (M.Ed.), Instructional Leadership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham.