Two new principals hired for Harris County schools, including one from Muscogee County
The Harris County School District has hired two new principals, including one from Muscogee County.
Jessica Burnett is leaving her position as principal of North Columbus Elementary School to become principal of New Mountain Hill Elementary School, where Mark Gilreath is retiring.
Donna Crooks is being promoted from assistant principal to principal at Pine Ridge Elementary School, where Jackie Lintner is retiring.
HCSD superintendent Roger Couch announced the personnel moves during Thursday night’s school board committee meetings. Burnett and Crooks introduced their families to the board.
“I appreciate the opportunity to work in the community in which we live,” Burnett told the board. “I promise to give my all and serve New Mountain Hill and the Harris County School District.”
Crooks also thanked the school board for the opportunity.
“And I look forward to a great new year,” Crooks said.
HCSD spokeswoman Rachel Crumbley provided background information about Burnett and Crooks:
Burnett has been an educator for 20 years, all in Muscogee County. She started teaching at Clubview Elementary School in kindergarten and fourth grade. Then she worked as an academic coach, split between Blanchard and River Road elementary schools. She was assistant principal at Clubview and Gentian elementary schools for three years before being promoted to principal of Gentian, where she worked for another six years. She has been principal at North Columbus for the past three years.
After graduating from Columbus High School, Burnett earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, a master’s degree in educational leadership and a specialist’s degree in education leadership from Columbus State University.
“Mrs. Burnett is a veteran school administrator with a proven track record of increasing student achievement, initiating creative programs, and maintaining an effective environment in every school she has served,” Stacey Carlisle, HCSD assistant superintendent for human resources, said in a news release.
Crooks has been an educator for 22 years, all at Pine Ridge. She taught in the Early Intervention Program for one year, then third grade for 12 years before becoming assistant principal.
After graduating from Hardaway High School, Crooks earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from CSU, a master’s degree in elementary education and a specialist’s degree in early childhood education from Troy University, then certification in educational leadership from CSU.
“Mrs. Crooks left the corporate workplace to begin her teaching career at Pine Ridge,” Carlisle said. “She wanted to invest in the school system where her children attended. Her development from teacher to a leader in the role of an assistant principal has strongly supported notable achievement gains and STEAM accreditation for Pine Ridge. She is a respected and trusted member of the Pine Ridge community who has demonstrated herself as an instructional leader to promote a positive school culture.“
Couch added in the news release, “While we are losing two very talented and experienced principals in Gilreath and Lintner, and we wish them the best in retirement, we are fortunate to have two highly qualified leaders with very successful and meaningful experience joining our team.”
This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 8:00 PM.
