Schools
Back to School 2014: Gwinnett Schools Welcome New Principals
10 schools will have new principals, including Gwinnett's newest schools, Northbrook Middle and North Metro Academy of Performing Arts.
As Gwinnett students and teachers return from summer break, many will find someone new in the principal’s office.
Nine educational leaders were appointed over the spring and summer to lead schools, including Gwinnett’s newest schools, Northbrook Middle and North Metro Academy of Performing Arts.
A 10th school, Berkmar Middle, will have a new leader as Principal José DeJesús has announced he is leaving the district for a position in a neighboring state.
Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 5 in Gwinnett County.
New Principals for 2014-15:
Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Cheri Carter, Brookwood Elementary
Ms. Carter is the new principal of the school where she has spent her entire Gwinnett career since joining the school district in 1988. A former 3rd grade and Reading Recovery teacher, Ms. Carter holds a Specialist’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. She most recently served Brookwood Elementary in an assistant principal role.
Angelique Mitchell, Ferguson Elementary
A Gwinnett educator since 1992, Ms. Mitchell transferred from Knight Elementary, where she served as an assistant principal, to the principalship role at Ferguson Elementary. The former 5th grade teacher holds a Specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership and is a graduate of the 2007 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program.
Laura Callahan, Ivy Creek Elementary
A member of the school district’s 2014 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Ms. Callahan transitioned to lead Ivy Creek Elementary after serving Freeman’s Mill Elementary as an assistant principal. She has taught at Shiloh and Dacula elementary schools. Ms. Callahan earned her master’s degree in Administration & Policy from the University of Georgia.
Kimberly Dyer, Partee Elementary
Ms. Dyer returned to lead Partee Elementary after having served as its Mathematics Coach earlier in her career. Ms. Dyer earned her Specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership from Argosy University and is a member of the 2014 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program. She most recently served as an assistant principal at Lawrenceville Elementary.
Ellyce Cone, Winn Holt Elementary
Ms. Cone – a member of the 2014 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program – transitioned to the principal role at Winn Holt Elementary after having served the school as an assistant principal since 2008. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University.
Dr. Keith Thompson, Northbrook Middle
A graduate of the 2011 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Dr. Thompson is opening Northbrook Middle after most recently serving Osborne Middle as an assistant principal. The former mathematics and science educator, who has close to two decades of teaching and leadership experience, earned his doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Argosy University.
Dr. Burrell Pope, North Metro Academy of Fine Arts
Dr. Pope is opening North Metro Academy of Performing Arts, Gwinnett’s new performing arts charter school. A former high school mathematics, science, and social studies teacher (DeKalb County), Dr. Pope most recently served Gwinnett County children as a private school principal and a GCPS assistant principal. He earned his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Research from Argosy University.
Todd Hamilton, Lanier Middle
Mr. Hamilton will lead Lanier Middle after most recently having served Meadowcreek High as an assistant principal. The former science teacher is graduate of the school district’s 2009 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program. He earned his Specialist’s degree in EducationalAdministration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.
Dr. Gene Taylor-Sweetwater Middle
Dr. Taylor returns to Gwinnett County as the principal at Sweetwater Middle after serving Atlanta Public Schools. In the past, he has led Gwinnett’s Crews Middle and Lilburn Middle. The social studies educator earned his doctoral degree in Global and Social Studies Education from The Ohio State University
Ms. Carter is the new principal of the school where she has spent her entire Gwinnett career since joining the school district in 1988. A former 3rd grade and Reading Recovery teacher, Ms. Carter holds a Specialist’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. She most recently served Brookwood Elementary in an assistant principal role.
Angelique Mitchell, Ferguson Elementary
A Gwinnett educator since 1992, Ms. Mitchell transferred from Knight Elementary, where she served as an assistant principal, to the principalship role at Ferguson Elementary. The former 5th grade teacher holds a Specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership and is a graduate of the 2007 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program.
Laura Callahan, Ivy Creek Elementary
A member of the school district’s 2014 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Ms. Callahan transitioned to lead Ivy Creek Elementary after serving Freeman’s Mill Elementary as an assistant principal. She has taught at Shiloh and Dacula elementary schools. Ms. Callahan earned her master’s degree in Administration & Policy from the University of Georgia.
Kimberly Dyer, Partee Elementary
Ms. Dyer returned to lead Partee Elementary after having served as its Mathematics Coach earlier in her career. Ms. Dyer earned her Specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership from Argosy University and is a member of the 2014 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program. She most recently served as an assistant principal at Lawrenceville Elementary.
Ellyce Cone, Winn Holt Elementary
Ms. Cone – a member of the 2014 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program – transitioned to the principal role at Winn Holt Elementary after having served the school as an assistant principal since 2008. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University.
Dr. Keith Thompson, Northbrook Middle
A graduate of the 2011 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Dr. Thompson is opening Northbrook Middle after most recently serving Osborne Middle as an assistant principal. The former mathematics and science educator, who has close to two decades of teaching and leadership experience, earned his doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Argosy University.
Dr. Burrell Pope, North Metro Academy of Fine Arts
Dr. Pope is opening North Metro Academy of Performing Arts, Gwinnett’s new performing arts charter school. A former high school mathematics, science, and social studies teacher (DeKalb County), Dr. Pope most recently served Gwinnett County children as a private school principal and a GCPS assistant principal. He earned his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Research from Argosy University.
Todd Hamilton, Lanier Middle
Mr. Hamilton will lead Lanier Middle after most recently having served Meadowcreek High as an assistant principal. The former science teacher is graduate of the school district’s 2009 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program. He earned his Specialist’s degree in EducationalAdministration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.
Dr. Gene Taylor-Sweetwater Middle
Dr. Taylor returns to Gwinnett County as the principal at Sweetwater Middle after serving Atlanta Public Schools. In the past, he has led Gwinnett’s Crews Middle and Lilburn Middle. The social studies educator earned his doctoral degree in Global and Social Studies Education from The Ohio State University
— From Gwinnett Schools press release
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