Teasley Leader Named Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year

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Canton, GA -- Teasley Middle School students and staff members spent the last hour of Friday -- the final day before Cherokee County School District’s February break -- waiting patiently in the cafeteria to surprise their leader with some exciting news.

Dr. Susan Zinkil has been named the Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year by the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals. In January, Dr. Zinkil was named one of six finalists for the honor.

Cherokee County Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower, school board members, district central office staff members and members of Zinkil’s family all greeted the principal with the news.

Zinkil with responded with smiles, hugs and tears, particularly when she saw her parents, Doc and Kathleen Speir, traveled all the way from Alabama for the announcement.

Hightower called Zinkil a “shining example” of what a principal should aspire to.

“I just don’t know what else to say,” he said. “You’re the bomb.”

Zinkil, who told Patch the news was “a little bit overwhelming,” said she was in a meeting with her boss when she was informed of a “situation” unfolding in the cafeteria that needed her attention.

She said she suspected something was up when walked through the doors and saw Melton Callahan, executive director of the Association, standing alongside Dr. Hightower.

“I feel like this honor is a reflection of our entire school community,” she told the audience. “This can not have been done without you guys.”

She later stated the award is a reflection of what the school does on a daily basis with its students.

“I appreciate so much being on this journey with you guys,” she said. “I am just so proud of all of you.”

It’s the second time a Cherokee principal has been recognized by the organization. In 2014, Debra Murdock, the former principal of Cherokee High School, was named the Georgia High School Principal of the Year.

Dr. Zinkil was appointed in 2010 to serve as Teasley’s principal.

Under her leadership, Teasley has been 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 also named Teasley as a finalist in its State STEM Awards in 2015.

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Photo 1: Dr. Brian Hightower offers his congratulations on an outstanding achievement.
Photo 2: Melton Callahan, left, executive director of the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals, makes the official announcement that Dr. Zinkil is the 2016 Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year, as she and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower look on.
Photo 3: Dr. Zinkil smiles during the presentation.
Photo 4: A teary Dr. Zinkil discovers her parents have traveled to Canton for the surprise.
Photo 5: Teasley MS Principal Dr. Susan Zinkil was surprised with the announcement of her selection as Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year by her faculty and central office staff Friday afternoon, including past Georgia High School Principal of the Year Deborah Murdock (background right).
Photo 6: Dr. Susan Zinkil with family: husband Mike, daughter Emily, sons Michael and Matthew, and her parents Doc and Kathleen Speir.
Photo 7: Dr. Susan Zinkil and Dr. Brian Hightower
Photo 8: From left, School Board Chair Kyla Cromer, GASSP Executive Director Melton Callahan, Dr. Susan Zinkil, Dr. Brian Hightower, School Board member Kelly Poole and School Board Vice Chair Patsy Jordan.
Photo 9: Teasley faculty give Dr. Zinkil a standing ovation
Photo 10: Dr. Zinkil is congratulated by her oldest son, Matthew.
Photo 11: Dr. Zinkil with TMS and CCSD Teacher of the Year Jeremy Law
Photo credits: Cherokee County School District