Mr. David Moore is a lifelong resident of Licking County, Ohio, where he has deep personal and professional roots. He joined Licking Heights High School in 2017, bringing with him more than two decades of distinguished classroom experience. Over the course of his career, Mr. Moore has served in multiple districts, including Newark City Schools, Beaufort County Schools, and Licking Valley Local Schools. In 2010, he advanced into school leadership as Dean of Students and later served as Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Mount Gilead High School.
At the heart of Mr. Moore’s educational philosophy is a steadfast commitment to inspiring students to achieve personal excellence and to become self-directed, lifelong learners. He works diligently to cultivate strong, meaningful relationships with students, ensuring that each individual is supported in discovering and pursuing their unique path. Through collaborative leadership, Mr. Moore strives to honor the traditions of Licking Heights High School while enriching the academic and extracurricular experiences of all its students.
Assistant Principal Jessica Clark [email protected]
Jessica Clark is starting her 21st year at Licking Heights High School and currently serves as Assistant Principal. She spent 19 years in the classroom as an English teacher before moving into administration. Jessica earned her undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University and her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton.
She is passionate about instructional leadership and supporting both teachers and students in creating engaging, effective learning experiences. Education is a shared commitment in her household—her husband is also a teacher at Licking Heights, making them a family dedicated to serving the school community.
Assistant Principal Patrick Watts [email protected]
Mr. Watts is a second-year Assistant Principal with a passion for supporting students and educators. He earned his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago, a Bachelor of Science in Middle Childhood Education from Ohio University, and an Associate’s degree in Humanities from Columbus State Community College.
Before moving into administration, Mr. Watts taught middle school science in Pickerington Local Schools and high school social studies in Reynoldsburg City Schools. Throughout his career, he has served on District and Building Leadership Teams, worked as a Department Chair, mentored new teachers as a RESA Mentor, and contributed to Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Teams.
Mr. Watts is a strong proponent of student choice and individualized instruction, and he believes in leveraging technology to prepare students for the needs of the communities of tomorrow. He also is committed to supporting staff through coaching and by connecting them to resources that help expand and improve their craft. Mr. Watts looks forward to continued growth as he expands his role in building leadership and works collaboratively to foster a thriving school environment.
He is married to a fellow educator, and together they have three adult children — all proud alumni of The Ohio State University. Outside of work, Mr. Watts enjoys playing pickleball, traveling, and cheering on Ohio State Football.
Welcome Kim Hurst, who is excited to join Licking Heights High School! With over 30 years of experience in K-8 education, Mrs. Hurst brings a wealth of knowledge to the high school. Her career includes teaching in Texas and New York, with the last 24 years spent in the Columbus area. She has served as a Principal for Chillicothe Primary School, an Ohio STEM-designated school, and Beechwood Elementary School.
Mrs. Hurst holds Master's degrees in Vocal Music Education and Educational Leadership. She was also New Albany Middle School's first full-time vocal music teacher, where she founded the middle school choral program. Additionally, she assisted with opening the McCoy Center for the Community Arts and served as a department chair and data coach.
Mrs. Hurst is thrilled to return to the secondary level, where she looks forward to focusing on innovations in teaching and supporting the needs of all students. She lives in New Albany with her husband, their three children, and their dog, Pilot.