By Erica Fatima
On Friday, January 15, the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals (GASSP) announced Atlanta Public Schools’ very own, Stephanie Johnson, Ed.S, as a finalist for this year’s Principal of the Year.
Stephanie Johnson, Principal Maynard H. Jackson HS
Principal Johnson joins a distinguished list of finalists that include:
- Dr. Julia Daniely, Westside Pre-Engineering High School, Bibb County
- Dr. Sean Kelly, Chapel Hill High School, Douglas County
- Susan Opferman—Webb Bridge Middle School, Fulton County
- Dr. Gene Starr—Appling County High School, Appling County
“This is an honor to be named as a finalist among such an illustrious group of candidates,” Johnson said. “My passion to ensure that each student actualizes their highest potential is fueled by an earnest hope that I am providing them with the tools necessary for success.”
The Principal of the Year program recognizes principals that excel in educational leadership, resolving complex problems, developing self and others and community service. The application is an extensive review of the performance of each applicant and their schools. Each finalist will participate in a final interview process in Athens to determine the Georgia Principal of the Year.
The program is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals and Association Member Benefit Advisor (AMBA). The Georgia winner will represent the state in the competition for National Principal of the Year.
GASSP’s 1,300 members across Georgia are extremely proud of the finalists Melton Callahan, executive director of GASSP and JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of NASSP also offered their congratulations to those principals who personify excellence in providing quality leadership to their school communities.
