New Principals Hired for Barnwell, Medlock

Barnwell and Medlock Bridge elementary schools in Johns Creek and more schools in Fulton will start the next year with new principals, with these replacements coming from within the school system and from outside the state.

Nine new principals were announced by Superintendent Robert Avossa at the June 28 Board of Education meeting.

“I’m pleased to welcome our new principals and know they will be an excellent addition to the Fulton County Schools team,” said Superintendent Robert Avossa. “Their leadership has made their current schools stand out and I’m confident they will do the same in their new positions.”

The principals begin their new jobs this week.

Tiffany Hutchens, 

Tiffany Hutchens joins Medlock Bridge Elementary School as its principal this summer. An assistant principal at  for eight years, Hutchens also was as a fifth-grade teacher and Early Intervention Program teacher at the school and previously taught at . She was an inaugural graduate of Fulton County Schools’ Promising Principals Program.

Hutchens earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Kennesaw State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Georgia.

Hutchens is replacing Margaret Pupillo, who is moving to a position in Fulton Schools' central office.

Norman Sauce,

Dr. Norman Sauce joins Fulton County Schools from California, where he has served as an assistant principal and formerly was a social studies teacher. Before embarking on a career in school administration, Dr. Sauce was named Teacher of the Year, Teacher of the Month, and Most Inspirational Teacher in his schools.

Dr. Sauce is replacing the retiring Doug Brown as Barnwell's principal.

Dr. Sauce earned a bachelor’s degree in U.S. and medieval histories from California State University and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of California. He also holds a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California.

Debra Doss,

Debra Doss, currently a principal with Roanoke City Schools in Virginia, will join Creek View Elementary in Alpharetta this summer. She has nearly 10 years of principal leadership experience and previously was an elementary school assistant principal and teacher.

A longtime resident of Virginia, Doss attended college there, such as Longwood University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, and Radford University, where she earned a master’s degree in reading education.

Former Creek View Principal Matt Rogers is taking a principal position in Atlanta City Schools, according to Susan Hale, spokesperson for the Fulton School System.

Rako Morrissey,

Dr. Rako Morrissey, an assistant principal with Cobb County Schools, becomes New Prospect Elementary School’s principal in Alpharetta. In addition to school leadership experience, she has taught at both the elementary and middle school levels in Cobb County, Marietta City Schools and Henry County.

Dr. Morrissey attended Kennesaw State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Education, a master’s degree in adolescent education, and a doctorate in leadership and learning. She also holds a specialist’s degree in mathematics education from the University of West Georgia.

Former New Prospect Principal Charlia Faulkner retired last spring.

Lori Bolds, McNair Middle School

Lori Bolds joins Fulton County Schools from the Guilford County School System in North Carolina. She currently serves as the principal of Welborn Academy of Science & Technology, which in 2011 was named one of the district’s most improved schools. She also has served as an assistant principal and as an English teacher at the high school level.

Jennifer Couch, Hapeville Elementary School

Jennifer Couch becomes principal of Hapeville Elementary School this summer after serving as an assistant principal for five years in Fayette County. She also has taught at the elementary, middle and high school levels in Florida and Ohio.

Named a national Milken Fellow in 2010 and a Milken Educator Award winner in 2004, Couch attended Kent State University for her bachelor’s degree in education and English and Ohio State University for her master’s degree in policy and leadership.

Richard Fowler, Woodland Middle School

An assistant principal at Tri-Cities High School, Richard Fowler is moving to nearby Woodland Middle School to serve as its principal. He joined Fulton County Schools in 2011 after serving as an academic dean, assistant principal, summer school principal and science teacher at schools in Texas.

Harvey Oaxaca, Lake Forest Elementary School

Harvey Oaxaca becomes Lake Forest Elementary School’s principal after serving an assistant principal, graduation coach, and ESOL/social studies teacher at Ridgeview Charter School. He also has taught ESOL professional development courses to Fulton County teachers, and before coming to the school system in 2005, he taught ESOL classes in Texas. He is a graduate of Fulton County Schools’ Aspiring Leaders Program.

Trici Smith, Feldwood Elementary School

Dr. Trici Smith joins Feldwood Elementary School as its new principal after serving as an assistant principal for the past seven years with Cobb County Schools. Before beginning a career in school administration, she was an elementary school counselor.

Dr. Smith worked in marketing and sales before deciding to pursue a career in education.