[singlepic id=208 w=320 h=240 float=]
By Rebecca Wallace
Parkside Elementary School in Grant Park will have a new principal this school year. A 20-year veteran of Atlanta Public Schools, Caitlin Sims comes to Parkside from Grove Park Elementary, where she was principal for five years.
“I am so excited to be at Parkside, where there’s obviously a feeling of love for the school and within the school,” said Principal Sims.
Not only does Principal Sims bring with her a wealth of experience in corporate partnerships and leveraging program resources, she has also been recognized for her admirable work for APS. She won the 2012-2013 Principal Center’s Joe Richardson Award, a peer recognition award given each year to a principal who has distinguished himself or herself in leading a school that works for all students. The award is named after Joe Richardson, founder of the Principal Center at Georgia State University (GSU), former Associate Dean of the College of Education at GSU and former headmaster at The Galloway School. Principal Sims said the award was the result of great support from and collaboration with educators, school stakeholders, and fellow leaders from across the district and throughout her career.
Ms. Sims also has experience in, and a passion for, liberal arts. Prior to Grove Park, she was principal at Barger Academy of Fine Arts in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “I really value how much the arts can do without being an ‘extra,’ but truly a part of a full educational experience,” she said. “I’m so proud that APS continues to fund the arts for all students.”
Additionally, Ms. Sims served as an instructional specialist at Sutton Elementary 14 years ago, when that school was in transition. “Much like Parkside, we had a community that clearly had the desire to come together around the school,” she said.
“Given all the schools that I’ve had the privilege to work for, Parkside is the place where I am going to be able to tap into all the varied experiences and perspectives that I have acquired in my leadership career,” said Ms. Sims.
But, as she explained, building a great school is a community effort. “It can’t be my vision – it has to be our vision. I know what a great school looks like; it should be joyful and rigorous. But we have to decide together what makes a great school for this community,” she said.
Ms. Sims grew up in Atlanta and clearly already feels comfortable in this community. “Being a product of APS, I have had an incredibly rewarding life because of my ability to work with diverse people around a shared purpose – our students’ success.”
Every great school starts with good teachers and willing students, but finishes with parent and community involvement, according to Sims. However, she said she understands not every parent can be physically present at school. “So we must give an array of opportunities to be involved. If you can’t be on campus, how can you support our school from home? Let’s get creative and find many ways to engage all our parents in the life of Parkside!”
Parkside’s assistant principal, Dr. Sarah Haynes, served as interim principal during the last school year when the previous principal, Dr. Phillip Luck, resigned to take a position with Teach for America. Dr. Haynes has resumed her post as assistant principal.
“I feel extremely blessed to come to Parkside and have someone at my side who has already run the school without me,” said Ms. Sims. “I feel very lucky to have Dr. Haynes here. She cares very deeply for the school.”
The 2013-2014 school year promises to be an exciting one for Parkside. As Ms. Sims said, “Every year is a new beginning… a new opportunity to do something great.”
Comments are closed.