Thank You for the Opportunity to Lead
Dear J.H. Williams Middle School Families,
After five wonderful years serving as the Principal of J.H. Williams Middle School, I am writing to share the bittersweet news of my upcoming retirement.
It has truly been a pleasure and an honor to be part of this incredible school community. Over the years, J.H. Williams has become more than just a place of work—it has become my family. I have cherished the relationships built with students, parents, faculty, and staff, and I am deeply grateful for the support and trust you’ve shown me throughout my time here.
As I prepare for this next chapter, I leave with mixed emotions. While I look forward to the opportunities and rest that retirement brings, I will miss the daily energy and sense of purpose that comes from working with our students and faculty/staff.
I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together—especially our focus on promoting student achievement through high expectations, meaningful instruction, and a supportive school culture. As I step away, I am confident that this vision will continue to guide our path forward.
Mr. Ryan Abshire has been appointed as our new Principal, and I know he will continue to lead J.H. Williams with passion and purpose. He shares our commitment to academic excellence and student growth, and I am excited to see the great things our school will achieve under his leadership.
Thank you for the privilege of serving your children and this remarkable community. It has truly been the highlight of my career.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Diane Comeaux,
Principal
J.H. Williams Middle School
New 25-26 JHW Principal
Introducing Mr. Ryan Abshire: Our 2025-2026 Principal at J. H. Williams Middle School
It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the appointment of Mr. Ryan Abshire as the new Principal of J.H. Williams Middle School for the 2025-2026 school year. With an impressive track record in educational leadership, Mr. Abshire brings a wealth of experience, a commitment to student success, and a strong vision for the future.
A Seasoned Leader in Education
JHW Middle School has been home to Ryan Abshire for his entire career in education. His journey began as a student teacher in the fall of 1997. By the following year, he became a 6th-grade social studies teacher before transitioning to 7th-grade math in the fall of 1998. Over the years, he has taught 7th and 8th-grade math, as well as Algebra I, leaving a lasting impact on generations of students.
His leadership career began in 2012 when he served as Interim Assistant Principal. He then became Dean of Students in 2013 before being appointed Assistant Principal in the spring of 2014, a role he held for over a decade. Now, as Principal, he remains dedicated to fostering student success and strengthening the JHW community.
Vision & Leadership
Working with at-risk students presents challenges, but for Mr. Abshire, those challenges are his motivation. He is driven by a deep desire to provide students with hope, mentorship, and a belief in their own potential. He believes that education is more than academics—it’s about relationships, trust, and integrity. His goal is to create a family-like culture at JHW, where students, staff, and the community work together to support student growth.
Beyond the School Walls
When he’s not leading JHW, Mr. Abshire enjoys music, hunting, fishing, and woodworking. He is the lead singer of The Envies, a band he started 12 years ago with fellow staff members. The group has since grown into a six-piece band that now includes his son, Spencer. He also owns a small farm near Gueydan and has pursued woodworking as a side passion for over 20 years.
Education runs in the Abshire family. His wife, Chantay, is a teacher at Meaux Elementary, and his son, Spencer, is a senior at McNeese State University. Coming from a family of educators, he understands the profound impact a dedicated teacher can have on a student’s future.
Looking Ahead
As the new Principal of J.H. Williams, Mr. Abshire is eager to bring this same level of passion, dedication, and leadership to our school community. With a vision to continue the school’s tradition of excellence, Ryan is committed to fostering an environment where every student has the support they need to reach their full potential.
“I am excited to join J. H. Williams family in this new role” said Ryan. “Together, we will work towards a future where all students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to achieve their best.”
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Ryan Abshire as our new Principal for the 2025-2026 school year. We are confident that with his leadership, J. H. Williams will continue to be a place where students thrive and teachers feel empowered.
Thursday, April 3
*Track Meet @ RRMS
*National Paraprofessionals Day- Thank you to: Tyesha, Leila, Ida, Shawnta, Hayley and Travis!!
Friday, April 4
*Spring Fling Dance- after school (see flyer)
**$1 jeans- no rips, tears, or holes of any kind. Student must wear their current ID to be out of school uniform. We do not call home for IDs.
LEAP TESTING DATES:
7th/8th Grade LEAP testing: April 9-15
6th Grade LEAP testing; April 3-- May 6
QR Code for OSP (Online School Payment)
You can conveniently pay for IDs, PE uniforms, raffle tickets, and school spirit shirts through the new OSP (Online School Payment) method.
Simply scan the QR code, open the link, and complete the required information.
The website can also be located through the following link:
We are so excited to continue to offer this wonderful technological tool to all of our students. Students will be issued a daily use Chromebook to complete activities; however, Chromebooks will remain on campus unless a need arises for remote learning.
Students must be in their homeroom no later than 7:23 to receive their Chromebooks in homeroom. Any student arriving after this time will not be allowed to go to homeroom to pick up their Chromebook (so as to not disturb that class). We appreciate your efforts in having students arrive at school on time.
Contact Information
Email: diane.comeaux@vpsb.net
Website: https://jhw.vpsb.net/
Location: 1105 Prairie Avenue, Abbeville, LA, USA
Phone: 337-893-3943
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JHWRocks/
