COVINGTON, Ga. - Newton County School System is pleased to announce Melissa Daniell, current assistant principal at Live Oak Elementary School, has been named the new principal of East Newton Elementary School, effective Dec. 3. Ms. Daniell will replace Dr. Kim Coady, who announced her retirement earlier this fall. 

Daniell earned a bachelor of music from Shorter College and pursued graduate studies at the University of Georgia. She received her master’s in educational leadership from NOVA Southeastern University in 2008 and an education specialist degree from Valdosta State University in 2016. 

Daniell began her career in education in the NCSS as a paraprofessional at Livingston Elementary School in 1987. She later served as a music specialist at Livingston, Porterdale Elementary, Fairview Elementary and Mansfield Elementary. After a one-year stint in advertising sales for a publishing company, Daniell returned to the classroom as a kindergarten EIP teacher at Middle Ridge Elementary School. After two years, she transferred to Fairview Elementary School, where she taught third grade and third grade EIP for six years. She then served one year as a third grade EIP teacher at Live Oak Elementary School before her promotion to assistant principal in 2010. 

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to work with the staff, students, and parents of East Newton,” Daniell said. “I truly believe in the mission of our school system of providing educational excellence for all students.

“I would like to thank Dr. Coady for building a tradition of excellence and I look forward to building on that tradition with the East Newton community. I anticipate great things as we prepare every student at East Newton for an exciting and successful future of being college and career ready."

“Mrs. Daniell has been an integral part of the Live Oak Elementary team and has been instrumental in facilitating a culture of high expectations,”  Samantha Fuhrey, NCSS superintendent, said. “She is looking forward to the opportunity to serve the students, staff, and families that make up the East Newton Elementary School community, and I am confident that Mrs. Daniell’s enthusiasm, knowledge, care, and commitment will lead to continued student and staff success.”