Muscogee County School Board approves two principals

The Muscogee County School Board has approved the hiring of two new principals.

During its monthly meeting Monday night, the board unanimously voted for superintendent David Lewis’ recommendation to appoint Stacy Day as principal of Arnold Magnet Academy and Amia Burnette as principal of Lonnie Jackson Academy.

Day, a 15-year educator, has been assistant principal at Wynnton Arts Academy since January. She was assistant principal at Richards Middle School (2011-16) and a math teacher at Arnold (2001-11). Before she began her education career, she worked as a real estate secretary and office manager for attorney Philip Johnson (1995-2001) and as a registered radiological technologist (1985-95).

Day earned a specialist’s degree in educational leadership from Columbus State University in 2010, a master’s degree in middle grades mathematics education from CSU in 2004, a bachelor’s degree in middle grades mathematics and science education from CSU in 2001, a diploma from The Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology in 1985, and a diploma from Central High School in 1983.

Burnette, a 17-year educator, has been principal of Mary M. Bethune Elementary School in the Atlanta Public Schools since 2014. She worked for the Fulton County Board of Education (1999-2014), where she was an online personal fitness teacher for the district’s virtual school, an administrative assistant, an assistant principal and a summer school principal.

Burnette earned a specialist’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Lincoln Memorial University in 2008, a master’s degree in teacher education from Georgia State University in 2003 and a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Georgia State in 1999.

Day will succeed Brenda Badura, who is scheduled to resign in June for what MCSD human resources chief Kathy Tessin told the Ledger-Enquirer in March is a personal reason.

Burnette will succeed Sadiyah Abdullah, who was promoted last month to director of the district’s Early Success Centers. She replaces Dana Thompson, who resigned to move out of state.

First-Year Teacher of the Year

Sheena Odom of Northside High School was named the district’s First-Year Teacher of the Year.

The other finalists: Mary Catherine Chambliss of Blackmon Road Middle School, Haley Cross of North Columbus Elementary School, Johnathan Daniels of Rothschild Leadership Academy, Christian Grier of Brewer Elementary School, Haley Hinson of River Road Elementary School, Portia Norris of South Columbus Elementary School, Sarah Turner of Mathews Elementary School and Hannah Wertz of Allen Elementary School.

This story was originally published May 16, 2016 at 8:09 PM with the headline "Muscogee County School Board approves two principals."