N E W S R E L E A S E FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 14, 2008 Contact: Communication and Media Relations, 678-301-6020 Gwinnett names 2008-09 principals for eight schools At its regular February meeting, the Gwinnett County Board of Education named the principals for seven elementary schools and Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology. Mr. Bitterman s appointment is effective immediately as he already serves as the Dean of Academics at the school. Ms. Baptiste s appointment is effective April 1. The other appointments with the exception of Ms. Chambers and Ms. Westcott, are effective June 1 as they fill positions created as the result of retirements. Ms. Chambers and Ms. Westcott s appointments are effective July 1, 2008. Banks Bitterman, currently the Dean of Academics at Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology has been tapped as principal of the school. This appointment is effective immediately. Prior to this appointment, Pat Blenke of Duluth High was serving as principal of the system charter school in addition to principal of Duluth High as the two schools share a campus. As GSMST prepares for its second year of operation, the decision was made to appoint a separate principal although both schools will continue to share a campus until GSMST s signature building opens in 2010. Banks Bitterman, Principal of Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology 2007-Present Dean of Academics, GSMST 2004-2007 Assistant Principal, Brookwood High 2002-2004 Teacher/Coach, Brookwood high 2000-2002 Teacher, Jonesville Middle (Bowden, GA) Bachelor s degree State University of West Georgia Master s degree State University of West Georgia Specialist s degree University of Alabama
Audrey Baptiste, currently an assistant principal at J. C. Magill Elementary, will lead Partee Elementary, effective April 1. Interim Principal Donna Lee will assist Ms. Baptiste through the end of the school year. Principal Lisa Harvin resigned in mid-january for personal and family reasons. Ms. Baptiste is a 2007 member of the Gwinnett County Public Schools Quality-Plus Leader Academy. Audrey Baptiste, Principal of Henry Partee Elementary 2006-Present Assistant Principal, J.C. Magill Elementary 2004-2006 Assistant Principal, McLendon Elementary (Decatur) 1999-2004 Teacher, Oakcliff Theme School (Doraville) Bachelor s degree Brenau University Master s degree Brenau University Specialist s degrees Cambridge College Dr. Donna Bishop, currently the Principal at Blaine Street Elementary in Monroe, GA, will lead W.J. Cooper Elementary next school year. She will succeed Dr. Phil Epperson who is retiring at the end of this school year. Dr. Donna Bishop, Principal of W.J. Cooper Elementary As an educator, Dr. Bishop has served eight years as principal in Blaine Street Elementary. From 1993-2000 she was an assistant principal at Chase Street Elementary in Athens, GA. Prior to that, she taught at several elementary schools in GA and LA. Bachelor s degree University of Georgia Specialist s degree University of Georgia Doctorate Georgia Southern University
Angie Wright, currently an assistant principal at Louise Radloff Middle, will lead Craig Elementary next school year. This opening is the result of the retirement of current principal Mary Ray at the end of the school year. Ms. Wright is a 2007 member of the Gwinnett County Public Schools Quality-Plus Leader Academy. Angie Wright, Principal of Craig Elementary 2004-Present Assistant Principal/Lead Data Administrator, Louise Radloff Middle 2003-2004 Teacher, Harbins Elementary 1999-2003 Teacher, Oakcliff Traditional Theme School (Doraville) Bachelor s degree Auburn University Master s degree Georgia State University Specialist s degree Georgia State University Valerie Robinett, currently an assistant principal at Ivy Creek Elementary, will be the 2008-09 principal of Mountain Park Elementary. This opening is the result of the retirement of current principal Debbie Allred at the end of the school year. Ms. Robinett is a 2007 member of the Gwinnett County Public Schools Quality-Plus Leader Academy. Valerie Robinett, Principal of Mountain Park Elementary 2007-Present Assistant Principal, Ivy Creek Elementary 2003-2007 Assistant Principal, Duluth High 2000-2003 Teacher, Parkview High 1999-2000 Teacher, Shiloh Middle 1998-1999 Teacher, Parkview High Bachelor s degree University of Georgia Specialist s degree University of Georgia
Doris Jones, currently an assistant principal at Dacula Middle, will be the new principal of W.C. Britt Elementary. This opening is the result of the retirement of current principal Beverly Todd-Lee at the end of the school year. Ms. Jones is a 2007 member of the Gwinnett County Public Schools Quality-Plus Leader Academy. Doris Jones, Principal of W.C. Britt Elementary 2002-Present Assistant Principal, Dacula Middle 1986-2002 Teacher, J.P. McConnell, Creekland, and Lilburn middle schools 1977-1978 Teacher, Dacula Middle 1984-1986 Teacher, Old Suwanee Christian School Bachelor s degree University of Georgia Specialist s degrees University of Georgia and Georgia State University Tarsha Chambers, currently an assistant principal at Snellville Middle, has been tapped to open and lead Rosebud Elementary, a new school opening in Loganville. Ms. Chambers is a 2007 member of the Gwinnett County Public Schools Quality-Plus Leader Academy. Tarsha Chambers, Principal of Rosebud Elementary 2003-Present Assistant Principal, Snellville Middle 2001-2003 Administrative Assistant, Tupelo Middle (Tupelo, MS) 1996-2001 Teacher, Tupelo Middle and Shannon High Bachelor s degree Mississippi State University Master s degree Mississippi State University
Leigh Westcott, currently the principal of Berkeley Lake Elementary, will transfer to the principal position at R.D. Head Elementary. Michelle Farmer, currently the principal at R.D. Head Elementary, will transfer to the principal post at Puckett s Mill Elementary, which is opening in the fall. Leigh Westcott, Principal of R.D. Head Elementary 2003-Present Principal, Berkeley Lake Elementary 2001-2003 Assistant Principal, Mountain Park Elementary 1997-2001 Assistant Principal, Bethesda Elementary 1994-1997 Teacher, Camp Creek Elementary 1990-1994 Teacher, Benefield Elementary 1980-1984 Teacher Gwin Oaks Elementary 1976-1979 Teacher, Tilson Elementary (Atlanta) Bachelor s degree Lenoir-Rhyne College Master s degree Georgia State University Specialist s degree State University of West Georgia -- 30 --