Smiley Elementary School, Principal Sandy Jones will be leaving the Long County school system to take a position with the Liberty County Board of Education.
Jones, who has been principal of the school since it opened in 2000, will be taking the position of director of curriculum instruction in the Liberty school system.
"I'm excited about the opportunity with this position, but I am so sad to be leaving my staff and school. It's like leaving my family," Jones said.
Jones, who has been with the Long County school system for 15 years, was a fourth-grade teacher at Walker Elementary School for six years, an instructional supervisor for one year, and a principal at SES for eight years.
Superintendent Dr. Edwin Pope, who was one of Jones's high school teachers in Pierce County said, "This system is going to miss Sandy Jones. She has put together a great staff at that school and she is very capable of doing anything she wants to do."
"It's Liberty's gain and Long's loss," the superintendent added.
Jones said her years spent at SES were the best of her life.
"I've had more hugs, kisses and love here than I have anywhere."
Jones took little credit for the school's success and offered plenty of praise for the people who worked under her.
"My staff, whether it was the custodians, teachers, parapros, or office staff, they always stepped up to the plate and did what I asked them to do. Anything I ask of them, they always were successful at," Jones said.
When she took the position at the school, Jones said she and her staff went in with the attitude that every parent would feel comfortable when they walked through the doors of the school.
She also said that it was always her policy to be supportive of her staff and understanding of circumstances that may arise in their lives.
According to Jones, however, the most important people at the school were always the students.
"The students were always the love of my life," Jones said. "I will miss each and every one of them."
Jones, who has been principal of the school since it opened in 2000, will be taking the position of director of curriculum instruction in the Liberty school system.
"I'm excited about the opportunity with this position, but I am so sad to be leaving my staff and school. It's like leaving my family," Jones said.
Jones, who has been with the Long County school system for 15 years, was a fourth-grade teacher at Walker Elementary School for six years, an instructional supervisor for one year, and a principal at SES for eight years.
Superintendent Dr. Edwin Pope, who was one of Jones's high school teachers in Pierce County said, "This system is going to miss Sandy Jones. She has put together a great staff at that school and she is very capable of doing anything she wants to do."
"It's Liberty's gain and Long's loss," the superintendent added.
Jones said her years spent at SES were the best of her life.
"I've had more hugs, kisses and love here than I have anywhere."
Jones took little credit for the school's success and offered plenty of praise for the people who worked under her.
"My staff, whether it was the custodians, teachers, parapros, or office staff, they always stepped up to the plate and did what I asked them to do. Anything I ask of them, they always were successful at," Jones said.
When she took the position at the school, Jones said she and her staff went in with the attitude that every parent would feel comfortable when they walked through the doors of the school.
She also said that it was always her policy to be supportive of her staff and understanding of circumstances that may arise in their lives.
According to Jones, however, the most important people at the school were always the students.
"The students were always the love of my life," Jones said. "I will miss each and every one of them."