Oconee County’s Dove Creek Elementary School is getting a new principal: Dr. Grace Staniszewski has been chosen by the Oconee County School Board. Staniszewski has been an assistant principal at Dove Creek since 2018. She will take over for Dr. Susan Stancil, who is leaving the principal’s office to become the Oconee County School System’s director of secondary education. Both she and Staniszewski will begin their new jobs in July.
From the Oconee Co School District website…
“Grace Staniszewski is an outstanding person and educator who, along with Dr. Susan Stancil, has done a tremendous job creating a culture of success at Dove Creek Elementary School,” said Superintendent Jason L. Branch. “We look forward to watching both of these leaders continue their individual and collective commitment to sustained excellence, forming strong relationships, and achieving world-class outcomes for kids.”
Staniszewski holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, a master’s degree from Piedmont College, and a doctorate from the University of Georgia. She began her teaching career in the Clarke County School District where she served as a classroom teacher in the areas of general education, special education, and gifted education. She joined Oconee County Schools in 2016 as an assistant principal at North Oconee High School and transitioned to Dove Creek, in the same capacity, as the school opened in 2018.
“I could not be more humbled and honored to begin my 6th year with Oconee County Schools as the principal of Dove Creek Elementary,” said Dr. Staniszewski. “As the current assistant principal at DCES, I look forward to continuing the standard of excellence shared among our incredible faculty and staff, students, parents, and community partners. Dove Creek Elementary is a very unique and special school, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to lead the Dragon Family.”
Current principal Dr. Susan Stancil will transition to her new role as the school system’s director of secondary education, also effective July 1. Stancil holds bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees from the University of Georgia. She began her teaching career in special education in Barrow County, and was later their special education coordinator. She became the assistant principal of Malcom Bridge Middle in 2011, principal of Malcom Bridge Elementary in 2014, and principal of Dove Creek Elementary in 2018.
Said Dr. Stancil, “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve as the OCS Director of Secondary Education. I am honored to have the opportunity to support and continue the excellent work that is taking place at the middle and high schools in Oconee County. I was given the amazing opportunity in 2018 to open Dove Creek Elementary School. While I will definitely miss my dragon family, I know Dr. Staniszewski will do an incredible job continuing to lead at this great school that we built together.”