By Joe Johnson
The Clarke County School District on Friday announced that Dr. Beverly Ford has been named principal of Coile Middle School.
The decision to elevate the school’s former assistant principal was made by the Board of Education at a called meeting held on May 21.
Ford replaces Dr. Marsha Thomas, who is retiring after 22 years with the district.
Ford has served in the district since 2006, most recently as assistant principal at Coile Middle, and she has held leadership roles as interim principal and assistant principal at Alps Elementary School.
Coile's Local School Governance Team screened and selected viable candidates from the pool of applicants to interview, and recommended candidates to move forward in the hiring process.
"Dr. Ford brings years of historical knowledge and experience to her new role as principal of Coile Middle School,” interim Schools Superintendent Xernona Thomas said.
“She has consistently shown a high level of commitment to the Clarke County School District and our work," Thomas said. "She is passionate about meeting the needs of all students and works to ensure rigorous learning strategies are implemented. We are excited to have her as the new instructional leader of the Cougar community."
Ford received a doctorate in P-12 education leadership from Georgia Southern, a master’s degree ’s in special education from Piedmont College, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from North Carolina Central, and holds numerous certifications including educational specialist in educational leadership, and gifted in-field and English to speakers of other languages endorsements.
"It is truly a privilege to be a part of a community where parents, teachers, and students care for each other and strive to build positive relationships that support academic and social growth," Ford said. “I have enjoyed each experience along my educational journey and excited about my next role as principal at Coile Middle. It is my goal to engage and empower every child and to have them feel a part of the Cougar family.
“I embrace Rita Pierson's quote, 'Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.' I intend to be the best that I can be as I serve this community," Ford said.