NEW PRINCIPALS CELEBRATION

Joe Richardson Award for Exemplary Leadership

This award is named in honor of the founder of the Principals Center at Georgia State University, Joe Richardson. The award is given annually by the Principals Center at a prestigious celebration usually held at the Carter Center in Atlanta to a principal who most represents the mix of leadership attributes that provides for a school environment where both students and staff excel. The recipients exemplify the characteristics of an instructional leader within a community of learners and leaders.

2024 Recipient

Maisha Otway, Ed.D. – College Park Elementary School (Fulton County Schools) Video Announcement

Past Recipients

2023

Tanya Allen – Burdell-Hunt Magnet School (Bibb County District) Announcement

2022

Stephanie Brown Bryant – Indian Creek Elementary School (DeKalb County School District) Announcement

2021

Kevin Van Tone – Locust Grove Middle School (Henry County Schools) Announcement

2020

Jason Stamper, Ed.D. – Banneker High School (Fulton County Schools)

2019

Robin Christian, Ed.D. – Barack and Michelle Obama (BaMO) Academy (Atlanta Public Schools)

2018

Chara Willaford, Ed.D. – Sims Elementary School (Rockdale County Public Schools)

2017

Tamara Candis, Ed.D. – Hopkins Elementary School (Gwinnett County School System)

2016

Julia Daniely, Ed.D. – Westside High School (Bibb County School District)

2015

Stephanie Johnson, Ed.D. – Maynard Jackson High School (Atlanta Public Schools)

2014

Vivian Stranahan – Gwinnett County

2013

Caitlin Sims – Grove Park Elementary School (Atlanta Public Schools)

2012

Renee Mallard, Ph.D. – Indian Creek Middle School (Newton County Schools)

2011

Dan Sims, Ed.D. – Tri-Cities High School (Fulton County Schools)

2010

Tad MacMillan – David C. Barrow Elementary School (Clarke County Schools)

2009

Karen Barlow-Brown – Peyton Forest Elementary School (Atlanta City Schools)

2008

Jan Childs – Wells Elementary School (Jones County Schools)

2007

Lynne Castleberry, Ed.D. – Cumming Elementary School (Forsyth County Schools)

2000

Dara Ann Jones – Hapeville Elementary School (Fulton County Schools)

1999

Charles Buchanan – Central Gwinnett High Schools (Gwinnett County Schools)

1997

Jerry Locke – Burress Elementary School (Marietta City Schools)

1996

Barbara Miller – Pine Ridge Elementary School (DeKalb County School District)

1995

Carla Northcut – Oakwood High School (Cobb County Schools)

Annual New Principals Celebration

The New Principals Celebration is an annual ceremony to honor first-year principals across the state of Georgia. New principals are invited to attend the celebration at The Carter Center with the guest of their choice. The celebration features the Joe Richardson Award for Exemplary Leadership in which a principal is chosen as recipient. The principal recipients of this prestigious award are educational leaders who are highly competent and successful within the school district and among his/her professional peers.