Cindy Echols was named principal of Vestavia Hills Elementary East in 2024. She previously served as Assistant Principal at Vestavia Hills Elementary East since 2012. Prior to coming to Vestavia East she served as Assistant Principal and Principal at Edgewood Elementary School in Homewood City Schools before taking time off to raise she and her husband, Wynn’s, two sons. Before joining the administrative team in Homewood she also served as Assistant Principal at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School for 5 years. She began her teaching career at Cahaba Heights Elementary School and feels blessed to now be able to serve in the community where her family lives.

Cindy is a proud graduate of the University of Alabama and Samford University where she received her undergraduate, graduate and Educational Specialist degrees. She also obtained her certificate for administration from Samford University. She feels the relationships she builds daily with parents, students and faculty are of utmost importance as they all work together to do what’s best for every student she serves.   Servant leadership is a philosophy that is embedded in everything she tries to do every day. Whatever the need she feels the passion to do what she can to provide assistance and guidance. Combining these two together is a quote that is a favorite….

            "People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care."

            ―John C. Maxwell