GASSP Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year Chris Chitwood of Wilbanks Middle School in Demorest (Habersham)
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hris Chitwood of Wilbanks Middle School in Demorist (Habersham) has been named Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year by the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals (GASSP). As a former math teacher, Chitwood loves data. He implemented his school’s Tied to Excellence program in which students, who are placed into small groups based on their individual needs, set goals and track their progress. He and his principal also focus on helping math and ELA instructors track standards proficiency. The administrators meet with those content leaders twice a week — once to plan lessons and assessments that are standards based, and the other for the teacher to share how they are using formative assessments and what they are doing if a student hasn’t reached proficiency in a standard. “By knowing each student’s achievement level, assess-
ing and tracking daily, and meeting with each student frequently about his or her data, we are able to close the achievement gap and better prepare students for college or their career,” wrote Chitwood in his award application. Chitwood drills down into data in other ways as well. “I often take early data and use spreadsheets to calculate CCRPI scores before the information is released. It is important to me to know exactly where we, as a school, stand in critical areas (including subgroups) before our data is calculated and released so we can make important decisions for the upcoming school year.” Chitwood earned a mathematics undergraduate degree and a master’s in education at Piedmont College and an educational specialist in leadership degree at Lincoln Memorial University.
GASSP Georgia High School Principal of the Year Tommy Welch, Ph.D., Meadowcreek High School (Gwinnett)
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ommy Welch, Ph.D., of Meadowcreek High School in Norcross (Gwinnett) was named Georgia High School Principal of the Year by GASSP. Since Welch became principal in 2011, Meadowcreek’s graduation rate has jumped more than 20 percent, SAT scores have improved by 40 percent, ninth-grade retention rates are up and the school has expanded Advanced Placement options. Welch is credited with leading Meadowcreek’s transformation to an academy fostering small learning communities, and he has helped broaden student opportunities by developing relationships with area businesses. “Dr. Welch’s leadership is authentic, sincere and steadfast,” said the Gwinnett Public Schools executive direc-
tor of School Improvement & Operations, Debbie Dees. The Buffalo, N.Y., native earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo, an Ed.S. from Piedmont College and a Ph.D. from Mercer University. He came to Meadowbrook as a social studies teacher in 2003 and then became an assistant principal and interim principal. “Dr. Welch connects to everyone around him, which has enhanced our experience as students,” said Meadowbrook Student Body Vice-President My Le. “Anytime we have anything we would like to change, Dr. Welch is always willing to listen. You leave the conversation feeling mature and empowered to conqueror anything.”
GASSP Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year Tiffany Taylor, Ph.D., Carver Road Middle School (Spalding)
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iffany Taylor, Ph.D., principal of Carver Road Middle School in Griffin (Spalding), was named 2017 Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year by GASSP. Under Taylor’s leadership since 2014, the school was named a 2016 and 2017 Model School by the International Center for Leadership in Education. The school also has experienced one of the largest attendance gains in the state, according to the Georgia Department of Education. “Dr. Taylor’s leadership skills are well known throughout the school, the district and the commu-
August/September 2017
nity,” Griffin-Spalding County School Superintendent Jim Smith told the Jackson Progress-Argus. “She has high expectations and is very focused and driven to improve student achievement.” The Butts County native earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of West Georgia and completed her master’s and doctorate in educational leadership at Mercer University. Her experience includes being an assistant principal at Griffin High School, teaching English language arts and being a graduation and instructional coach for the Monroe County School System. n
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