Great Leader Spotlight: Zane Thomas

“We Don’t Wish for It. We Work for It”

In Houston, Mississippi, there’s a high school principal whose leadership goes beyond school spirit and accountability scores. 

For Zane Thomas, principal of Houston High School and finalist for the 2025 Mississippi Administrator of the Year, leadership is about conviction and consistency.

With a contagious energy and a firm grounding in faith, Zane brings a unique combination of grit, humility, and purpose to school leadership. 

His story is one of returning home, loving people well, and creating a culture that inspires students and teachers and transforms their lives.

Transition from Coaching to Administration

Zane’s career began on the football field. After graduating from Houston High School in 2005 and earning his degree from Southern Miss, he taught history and coached football at Oak Grove, then moved on to Madison Central and Itawamba High School before taking the head coach position at Hatley.

But even in those early years, he was developing skills that have served him well in administrative roles.

“I knew from the get-go that I’d eventually move into administration,” Zane says. “I loved coaching football. No doubt I still do, and I miss it. But I knew I could influence 65 players on the field as a coach, or as a principal I could influence 500.”

When the opportunity came to step into administration at Houston Middle School, Zane followed what he describes as “a willing and obedient heart.” 

One year as assistant principal quickly became two as principal, and then a move to Houston High School, where he’s now entering his third year.

Creating a Strong Culture at Houston High School

If there’s one thing Zane Thomas is known for, it’s building culture.

“My wheelhouse is culture and student/teacher motivation,” he says. He acknowledges that consistency is the key to a strong culture in the midst of the busyness of the school day. 

“Your emotions will change. Who you are and what you believe can’t.”

At Houston High School, that belief is summed up in one motto: “We don’t wish for it. We work for it.”

The phrase isn’t just a slogan. It’s everywhere. You’ll find it on t-shirts, coffee mugs, and bulletin boards. 

Most importantly, you’ll find it in the daily language and expectations of staff and students. “That’s a motto that any kid in Houston High School could tell you right now,” he says.

It captures the spirit of the community well: small, hard-working, and proud.

But even that motto is based on something more profound. 

Zane discussed a formative encounter with Coach Tony Dungy, who once visited an Oak Grove football practice. 

Zane asked him what advice he’d give a first-year coach. He expected something dealing with football, X’s and O’s, or practice strategies. 

Instead, Dungy paused, leaned in, and offered just three words:

“Love them all.”

Zane never forgot it.

Zane with Coach Tony Dungy in 2010.

“He didn’t talk about schemes or systems. He went straight to the heart,” Zane says. “And that’s what I try to do every day. Love everybody. That’s the apex of school culture.”

Sharing the Load

One replicable move Zane has helped lead in Houston is a system-wide approach to athletic event supervision. 

With just one assistant principal who also serves as the athletic director, Zane knew the demands of leading a high school could quickly overwhelm both his role and his home life.

“I’m not going to forfeit being a daddy just to be gone five nights a week,” he says.

The solution? A shared duty schedule that involves the CTE director, central office personnel, and other district administrators. It spreads the burden and models teamwork at the highest level.

“It’s allowed us to do our jobs well without losing our lives outside of school,” Zane says. “And our students still get the support they deserve.”

Advice for Aspiring Administrators

For those waiting on their first leadership opportunity, Zane offers wisdom from his own journey and from the pages of The 360° Leader by John Maxwell.

“You have to be where your feet are if you want opportunities as a leader,” he says. He believes that leadership is less about positioning yourself and more about adding value where you are right now.

His first attempt at administration didn’t go as planned. He was asked to interview for an AP role, but he didn’t get the job. However, he didn’t let that deter him.

“The job may not come when you want it,” he says, “but if your heart’s in the right place and you’re doing the right things, good things come in due time.”

Challenges and Anchors

Zane is quick to say the hardest part of leadership isn’t managing a school. It’s keeping life in balance.

“The biggest challenge is not letting the job become bigger than it is,” he says. “I’m a follower of Jesus first. A husband second. A father third. Everything else falls in line after that.”

His wife, who he describes as “absolutely handcrafted for me by the Lord,” has been a steady voice reminding him of what matters most.

When Zane was asked to move from the middle school to the high school, her emotional reaction was a wake-up call. 

They worked out a plan to preserve family time and boundaries, and Zane remains adamant that no role, no matter how important, should overshadow those commitments.

A Finalist for Administrator of the Year

Being named a finalist for Administrator of the Year wasn’t something Zane sought after, and he’s not entirely comfortable being in the spotlight. 

“It gave me a chance to brag on our kids and teachers,” he says. “We’ve got some rock stars in Chickasaw County. That recognition let me show the state what’s happening here.”

For Zane Thomas, leadership is about love, consistency, and community. It’s about creating a school where students work hard, feel known, and believe they matter.

Have any of Zane Thomas's practices resonated with you? Let me know in the comments below!