COVINGTON, Ga. - Newton County School System recently announced the appointment of Leah Green as the new principal of West Newton Elementary School and Dr. Ashante Everett as the incoming principal of the Newton County Theme School. 

Green currently serves as an assistant principal at West Newton Elementary School and Everett is the NCSS's current secondary coordinator for curriculum instruction and professional learning. Approved by a unanimous vote of the Newton County Board of Education Tuesday, June 11, the two will report to their new positions on July 1.

“We conducted several interviews for each of our two principal vacancies, including numerous internal candidates who already work in our schools,” Samantha Fuhrey, NCSS superintendent, said. “Ultimately, both of our selections were already members of the Newton County School System family, which is exciting as it shows the depth we have in our pool of administrators. We have definitely worked hard over the past few years to grow our own leaders from within.”

Green earned her bachelor of art in psychology from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta and her master in education in curriculum, instruction, and leadership from Oakland University, in Rochester, Michigan. She added on an education specialist degree in administration and supervision in August 2003, from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee.

Green began her career in education with the Gwinnett County Schools as a teacher at Norcross Elementary School, where she was a finalist for teacher of the year for three consecutive years. She joined the NCSS team in 2005 as the instructional coach and Title I coordinator at Rocky Plains Elementary School. She soon made the transition to school-level leadership and has served in the capacity of assistant principal at East Newton Elementary and later West Newton Elementary School. 

During her time as an assistant principal, Green has performed numerous duties, including testing coordinator, Title I coordinator, RTI coordinator, special education/ELL administrator and Georgia pre-K site coordinator. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators and the National Educators Association. 

“I'm very excited and honored to be named principal of West Newton Elementary School,” Green said. “I look forward to us continuing the great work we have started and getting our West Newton community involved in our school!

“My immediate plans are to meet with all stakeholders to discuss our school improvement plan. My goals this school year will focus on parental and community involvement and continuing our school improvement efforts.”

“I believe the fact that Ms. Green is already a valued and trusted member of the West Newton Elementary School family will assure a smooth transition as she assumes the school principal’s position from current principal, Mr. Sammy Fudge, who is departing to accept a position out of state,” Fuhrey said.

Everett earned a bachelor of arts in dance from the University of Kansas in 1999, and a master of science in education from Pittsburg State University in Kansas in 2003. She later added on a specialist degree in Educational leadership from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville and ultimately obtained a doctor of education in educational leadership and management from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Everett began her career in education in 2001 as a middle grades fine arts dance instructor in Kansas City, Missouri before transitioning to teaching all general subjects in grades three through five for the Kansas City Unified School District. Upon moving to Georgia, Everett served as the High Achievers Coordinator for Mount Zion Christian Academy in Jonesboro in 2006. She joined the NCSS team in 2009 when she was hired to serve as an eighth-grade language arts and social sciences teacher at Liberty Middle School. 

During her tenure at Liberty Middle School, she was named the teacher of the year and also won the 2011 Outstanding Women in Education Award. Everett transitioned to the district office to serve as the secondary instructional coach for English/Language Arts, history, and social studies from 2012-2015 before moving into school leadership as an assistant principal at Newton County Theme School and then Clements Middle School. 

During her time as an assistant principal, Everett has amassed valuable experience overseeing curriculum, assessment, instruction, testing, athletics, RTI and discipline. She moved back to the district office to assume her current position as the coordinator of secondary curriculum instruction and professional learning. 

“I am excited and humbled about the opportunity to serve as principal of the Newton County Theme School,” Everett said. “I am excited to foster passionate teaching and learning cultures for students while partnering with teachers, parents, staff, and the community. I am equally humbled about the opportunity to use my skills and knowledge in education to support the mission and vision of the school. This position comes with an opportunity for my passion in education to meet my purpose as an educator.

"My goal as principal is to continue to build a synergy of group efficacy in order to increase the culture of learning at the Theme School. This goal requires partnerships with leaders, teachers, students, staff, and the community. These indispensable partnerships will equip students with the necessary tools to excel at the highest levels and reach their fullest potentials.”

“The fact that Dr. Everett was a well-respected and regarded member of the Newton County Theme School family just a few short years ago will help assure a smooth transition as she replaces Dr. Naomi Cobb, who has accepted a position with Griffin RESA,” Fuhrey said. “I am confident that both Ms. Green and Dr. Everett will continue the culture of high expectations at West Newton Elementary and Newton County Theme School and I am sure that their knowledge, care, and commitment will lead to continued student and staff success at both schools.”