Teasley Leader Honored As Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year

CANTON, GA -- Teasley Middle School Principal Dr. Susan Zinkil was officially honored Monday as Georgia’s Middle School Principal of the Year.

Dr. Zinkil, who in February was named the winner of the statewide honor, was selected from a large, statewide pool of nominees.

The award, given by the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals, recognizes Dr. Zinkil's excellence in educational leadership, success in resolving complex problems, development of self and others and community service.

She was presented with the award at the association’s annual fall conference held Oct. 29-31 in Savannah.

Appointed to serve as Teasley's principal in 2010, Dr. Zinkil has led the school to be recognized as a Distinguished Breakout Middle School by the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals in 2013; a finalist for the Georgia Family Friendly Partnership Award in 2014; and a Title I Reward School in 2012 and 2015 by the Georgia Department of Education.

Additionally, the Technology Association of Georgia named Teasley as a finalist in its State STEM Awards in 2015. In March, Teasley also became the nation’s first middle school to have all its teachers become Microsoft Innovative Educator certified.

The Principal of the Year recognition program is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals; the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals, which serves 1,300 members; and Association Member Benefit Advisor.

Photo: Dr. Susan Zinkil. Credit: Cherokee County School District