Each October the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) sponsor National Principals Month.
The purpose of the month is to recognize the essential role principals play in making a school and its students successful. Principals are not only the primary catalysts for creating lasting foundations for learning, but they also personally matter to each and every student that walks through the school door, say Liberty County School System officials.
National Principals Month gives citizens an opportunity to stop and reflect on the incredibly important impact principals have on the children of the nation, the state and community, according to school officials. Throughout the month of October, the Liberty County School System will highlight its school principals. They encourage residents to thank principals for the work they do, and recognize principals for their dedication to students.
Principal profiles provided by LCSS can be read below. More profiles will be submitted in coming weeks:
Vivian Gilliard, Midway Middle School principal
“My name is Vivian Gilliard and it is with great joy and enthusiasm that I serve as the principal of Midway Middle School. It is an honor to be a part of this extraordinary school community. I am married to Pete Gilliard and we have four children, Khadijah, Jarrell, Tishara, and Mya, and two grandchildren, Lamoni and Jaidyn.
I have been with the Liberty County School District for 26 years. My educational credentials include a bachelor’s degree from Albany State University, a master’s degree from Central Michigan University, and a specialist degree from Troy University. My leadership certification was obtained from Georgia Southern University. I was a classroom teacher at Taylors Creek and Jordye Bacon Elementary. My administrative roles include being an assistant principal at Frank Long Elementary and Button Gwinnett Elementary. I have also served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Horizons Learning Center.
At Midway Middle School, we firmly believe that all students can exceed and be the best version of themselves. All stakeholders work together collectively to achieve greatness in our scholars. Student achievement is the driving force in all of our endeavors as we are committed to making certain every student will have every opportunity to become college or career ready.”
Greg McCallar, Liberty County Pre-K Director
“My name is Greg McCallar, and I am currently the Director of Liberty County Pre-K. I am a Liberty County native and Bradwell Institute graduate that began my career with Liberty County Schools in 1996 after earning a B.S. in Social Sciences Education from Armstrong Atlantic State University. In my 24 years with the Liberty County School System, I have taught middle and high school social studies, coached multiple sports and served as a middle school athletic director. I have served as a building administrator for the last eight years. I earned both my M. Ed. and Ed. S. degrees in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University. I have been married for 21 years to Melissa, also an educator, and we have one daughter, Dayle, who now attends the University of Georgia.”
Stephanie Y. Woods, Chief Executive Officer of Horizons Learning Center
Stephanie Y. Woods is a native of Liberty County, and graduated high school from Bradwell Institute in 1983. She graduated from South Carolina State University in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She obtained her master’s degree in education from Cambridge College in 1999 and educational specialist degree in education administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University in 2002.
She began her teaching career in 1992 at Liberty County High School as a business education teacher. During her 15 years at LCHS, she served as department chair, FBLA advisor, CBE coordinator, assistant girls basketball coach, and was a member of several other committees within the school and the school district. She was named Teacher of the Year in 1999.
In 2006, Stephanie was promoted to assistant principal at Bradwell Institute and served there for nine years. In 2015, she was named principal at Liberty County High School and served there for four years. This is her 28th year in education and she is currently serving as chief executive officer of Horizons Learning Center.
