On Monday, Atlanta Public Schools announced that Tekeshia Hollis had been named as the new principal of David T. Howard Middle School. Pending board approval, Hollis will assume the new role on January 17, 2023. Hollis currently serves as an administrator at Sylvan Middle School in the Carver cluster. Hollis brings 18 years of experience […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
Posted inGwinnett County Schools
Gwinnett County BOE to provide a $1,000 payment to all active, benefit-eligible employees
At its last board meeting of the year, the Gwinnett County Board of Education approved a one-time payment of $1,000 to all active benefits-eligible employees to be paid in a lump sum and included in the December 2022 paycheck. This move comes after other school board members, and the superintendent indicated their support for GCPS […]
Posted inGwinnett County Schools
Gwinnett BOE appoints new leaders
At its regularly scheduled business meeting on December 15, 2022, the Gwinnett County Board of Education approved the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer, Executive Director of Leadership Development, and principal at Shiloh Elementary School. Masana L. Mailliard, the new chief financial officer, comes to Gwinnett County Schools from Dekalb County Schools, where she worked […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
All For Lunch clears lunch debt for Cobb County schools students
MARIETTA- The non-profit All for Lunch donated more than $20,000 to Cobb Schools Schools Food and Nutrition Services to pay off debt for elementary students in the District. “Donations allow us to clear charges for students who charged meals before being approved for free or reduced meals,” explained Emily Hanlin, Cobb Schools Executive Director of Food […]
Posted inGeorgia High School Sports
High school football state championship games to return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium
ATLANTA- Starting in 2023, boys’ tackle and girls’ flag football fans will no longer have to brave the elements to enjoy the state championship games. Instead, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) announced today, in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS) and the Atlanta Falcons, today announced a three-year deal after much anticipation that brings the […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Midtown High School evacuated after threats
ATLANTA- School officials have evacuated Midtown High school students and staff to Piedmont Park as the building is being searched. In an email sent from Principal Dr. Betsy Bockman on Thursday, parents were assured that their students are “fine.” In follow-up Facebook posts, the school indicated that there had been a called-in threat and plan […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools names four finalists for at-large seat 9 vacancy
ATLANTA- Atlanta Public Schools has announced four finalists for the individual to serve the remainder of the unexpired term for At-Large Seat 9, to be vacated by Jason Esteves on December 31, 2022. The candidates are: Stephanie Flowers Jessica Johnson Nkoyo Effiong Lewis John Ramseur The at-large seat was held by Jason Esteves, who won […]
Posted inGwinnett County Schools
Gwinnett County Schools Superintendent resigns from Cognia Board of Directors
After outrage from parents, Gwinnett County Public Schools Superintendent Calvin Watts quit his position on the Board of Directors of Cognia. Cognia, the school’s system accrediting agency. Cognia is an Alpharetta-based nonprofit organization, and most of Georgia’s public school systems are accredited by Cognia. Each year, school districts pay tens of thousands of dollars to voluntarily […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools names new elementary school
ATLANTA- At Monday’s Atlanta Board of Education meeting, the board recommended that the newest school in the Midtown Cluster be named Virginia-Highland Elementary School. This naming comes after the initial offer for the principal selected to lead the schools was rescinded. This school will house more than 850 students attending Mary Lin, Morningside, and Springdale […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County School District launches national search for superintendent
Dekalb County Schools has announced that they have partnered with the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) to launch a national search for its next Superintendent of Schools. The current interim superintendent, Dr. Vasanne Tinsley, took over when the Board of Education fired Cheryl Watson-Harris on Apr. 26th. As a part of this process, GSBA will […]
Posted inClayton County Schools
Clayton County Public Schools names interim superintendent
At the regularly scheduled Clayton County Schools Board meeting on Monday, Dr. Anthony Smith was named as interim superintendent, replacing outgoing superintendent Dr. Morease Beasley. Beasley, who announced he was stepping down in November, had served as the lead of the school system since 2017, most recently leading them through the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith, currently […]
Posted inSports
Deion Sanders Joining Colorado Causes Local Recruit to Decommit from Jackson State
Hours after fan favorite Jackson State University won the SWAC Championship Game over Southern, Head Coach Deon Sanders was officially named as the Head Coach of Colorado State. With this announcement, a local commitment, Robert Christian Lockhart, III from Langston Hughes High School located in Fairburn, Georgia, announced that “recruitment was 100% back open”. Lockhart, […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Google and Big Brothers Big Sister of Metro Atlanta partner with Mays High School
Officials from Google and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta were at Mays High School on Friday to announce and celebrate a new partnership and investment Google is making into the school and its students through mentorship and technological infrastructure investments. The event featured a welcome video by comedian, Mays graduate, and “Wild ‘N […]
Posted inDouglas County Schools
Douglas County Schools Superintendent named Superintendent of the Year
Douglas County Schools Superintendent Trent North was named Georgia’s 2023 Superintendent of the Year at the Georgia School Boards Association/Georgia School Superintendents Association’s Conference in Atlanta. North will now compete for National Superintendent of the Year in February 2023 at its national conference in San Antonio, TX. “This award represents the teachers and families that […]
Posted inClayton County Schools
Clayton County Schools to Implement Extended Learning Beyond the Classroom on December 6
Clayton County Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, in observance of the Georgia Senate Runoff. As a result, Clayton County Public Schools will implement an Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom (ELBC) Day in which all students will participate in asynchronous (independent) virtual learning. This decision is being made in conjunction and […]
Posted inGwinnett County Schools
Paul Duke STEM High School educator honored at National Communication Association Convention
Halie Waddell Rios, an ESOL educator at Paul Duke STEM High School in Norcross, was recognized with the Marcella E. Oberle Award for Outstanding Teaching in Grades K-12 at the National Communication Association’s (NCA) 108th Annual Convention in New Orleans. NCA honors the best in scholarly communication, presenting awards for outstanding scholarship, teaching, and professional service. […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
GaDOE to Pilot New Teacher Evaluation System
The Georgia Department of Education is launching a pilot, GaLeads, for a new teacher evaluation system that aims to emphasize growth while elevating the teaching profession. The pilot will involve eleven school districts during the 2023-2024 school year with hopes that this new system will replace the current Teacher Keys Effectiveness System (TKES) and Leader […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Former Atlanta Board of Education Chair, Jason Esteves Resigns After Winning Georgia State Senate Seat
After serving eight years on the Atlanta Board of Education, Attorney Jason Esteves has resigned following his election to the Georgia state Senate. Esteves, a Democrat, won 57% of the vote to win the District 6 seat which includes both Cobb and Fulton counties.
Posted inFulton County Schools
Eight Applicants to Fulton County School Board Announced
Fulton County Schools has eight applicants to replace outgoing Board Member, Gail Dean. Dean who announced her retirement at the September 2022 Work Session and Board Meeting, has served as a board member who represents Sandy Springs, East Point, College Park, and Hapeville. In a statement to her constituents, Dean reflected on her time as […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools Reverses Hire for Midtown Elementary
Just one day after presenting the sole candidate for the principal of Midtown Elementary, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Lisa Herring reversed the hiring decision. On Wednesday the school district announced Kari Schrock as the new principal which is slated to be open in Fall 2023. Schrock’s last principalship came from Laurel Ridge Elementary School […]
Posted inClayton County Schools
Clayton County Public Schools implements mask mandate for employees
Effective July 25, 2022, Clayton County Schools will require a face mask mandate for all employees and visitors. This mandate is a direct result of the spread of COVID-19 in Clayton County. As of today, Clayton County has a total of 670 new COVID-19 cases with eight hospitalizations. “As positive COVID-19 cases continue to rise […]
Posted inMarietta City Schools
New principal named for Marietta High School
After Wednesday, a special called meeting in Marietta City Schools, Marietta High School will welcome Dr. Eric L. Holland as the new principal on July 18. Holland has over 23 years of experience in educational administration and will take the helm after Keith Ball left in the spring for a role in the central office. […]
Posted inPolicy
News Brief: Biden Administration Propes New Rules for Title IX
On the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the federal law banning sex discrimination in education programs receiving federal funds, the Biden administration has proposed new regulations governing its enforcement. According to the Department of Education, the new rules would, among other things, “protect LGBTQI+ students from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex […]
Posted inNational News
Congress Passes Gun Violence Bill; FY 2023 Experiences Increases
In the wake of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and other mass shootings in the United States, Congress has passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act–intended to reduce gun violence and also includes new investments for K-12 schools. The bill includes promoting state “red flag” laws, expanded protections for victims of domestic violence, more substantial […]