Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Mark Scott
Board Members
Helen Hughes, Vice Chairman
Lori Johnson
Dr. Rick Unruh
Mr. Fred Wilson, Chairman
Dave Crockett
Hoke Morrow
Bryan Upshaw
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 5, 2017
(Release #2016/17 – 159)
Contact: Beth McLaughlin, Director of Community & School Affairs, 478-988-6390, ext. 0, [email protected]
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WES Dr. Hammond ~ 2017 GA Distinguished Principal, District 11
HOUSTON COUNTY, GA – Westside Elementary School Principal Dr. Cynthia
Hammond has been selected as the 2017 Georgia Distinguished Principal
for District 11. The Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals
(GAESP) annually identifies exemplary school leaders in 16 districts through
the Georgia Distinguished Principal program. One principal from each
district is chosen by their peers to represent their district at the state level.
state level.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition from my colleagues,
said Dr. Hammond. “This recognition exceeds my expectations as I feel my
duty is to encourage learning and promote citizenship among our students,
staff and teachers. As a school leader, I feel honored to work with such a
delightful group of people. This acknowledgement would not be possible
without the support of my loving family, faculty and staff, students and
parents, colleagues, community partners, Houston County BOE and of course my Lord, Jesus Christ!
I will continue to strive for excellence in all of my endeavors.”
Dr. Hammond has been with the district since 2000 when she began working at Tabor Middle
School. She was an assistant principal for five years in Houston County prior to her selection as
Westside’s principal. In 2009, she was named Georgia’s Outstanding Assistant Principal by the
Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals for 2009 (GAESP). Prior to working in Houston
County, she was a teacher in Peach County. She received the honor of Teacher of the Year (TOTY) for
Byron Middle School in 1998 and became Peach County School System’s overall TOTY for the 19981999 school year. She graduated from Fort Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in
criminal justice and originally planned to go to law school. She began her professional career as a
police officer in Macon and later worked as an officer in Fort Valley. She was honored as Police
Officer of the Year and promoted to Detective Sergeant where she dealt with juvenile crimes and
taught the D.A.R.E. program. She returned to college to obtain a master’s degree in education, a
specialist in educational leadership and a doctorate from Argosy University. She is married and has
three children.
MORE
P.O. Box 1850 • Perry, Georgia 31069
(478) 988-6200 • Fax (478) 988-6259
www.hcbe.net
WES Dr. Hammond ~ 2017 GA Distinguished Principal, District 11 / page 2 of 2
GAESP award criteria include that a principal must:
•
be respected by students, colleagues, parents and the community at large;
•
demonstrate commitment and service to the community;
•
exhibit strong leadership skills and high expectations;
•
demonstrate outstanding contributions to the well-being of the educational community; and
•
show commitment to excellence by offering programs designed to meet the academic and
social needs of students and staff.
GAESP strives to equip leaders with research based practices that advance student learning. GAESP
believes that communication is the key to success, the principal is the instructional leader of the
school and that high expectations for all children and staff are essential. Westside Elementary
School is located at 201 N. Pleasant Hill Road in Warner Robins. For more information, please visit
http://www.gael.org/affiliates/gaesp-a/ or contact Dr. Hammond at 478-929-7820 or
[email protected].
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P.O. Box 1850 • Perry, Georgia 31069
(478) 988-6200 • Fax (478) 988-6259
www.hcbe.net