Oconee Co BOE names three new principals

The Oconee County School Board, meeting this week in Watkinsville, names three new principals for the 2022-23 school year. Katherine Brown will be principal at Colham Ferry Elementary School, Sara Johnson at Rocky Branch Elementary, and Keith Carter at North Oconee High School.

From the Oconee County School District website…

Oconee County Schools formally announced the names of three new principals on April 12, following unanimous approval of the Board of Education at the April 11 meeting. The following principals will begin serving June 1, 2022:

• Katherine Brown, Colham Ferry Elementary School
• Keith Carter, North Oconee High School
• Sara Johnson, Rocky Branch Elementary School

“All three of these leaders have proven track records of their leadership resulting in tremendously positive outcomes for students,” said Superintendent Jason L. Branch. “I look forward to their continued work in Oconee County Schools as they maintain a commitment to the sustained excellence and continuous improvement for which OCS is known.”

Dr. Katherine Brown

Currently: Principal of Oconee County Primary School

As of June 1, 2022: Principal of Colham Ferry Elementary School

Dr. Brown earned her bachelor’s degree at Valdosta State University, as well as her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Georgia. She began her teaching career in 2006 as an elementary school teacher in the Lowndes County School District, followed by a position in the Barrow County School District. She served in a variety of positions in the Clarke County School District from 2009-17, including Director of Gifted Education. Dr. Brown came to Oconee County Schools in 2017 as assistant principal of Colham Ferry Elementary School. Since 2019, she has been the principal of Oconee County Primary School.

Brown and her husband, Philip, are the proud parents of four children.

“It has truly been an honor to serve the Oconee County Primary School community for the past three years,” said Brown. “As I transition into the principal role at Colham Ferry Elementary School, I look forward to partnering with students, faculty and staff, and families to continue to build upon the excellent foundation of learning at CFES.”

Mr. Keith Carter

Currently: Principal of Oconee County Middle School

As of June 1, 2022: Principal of North Oconee High School

Mr. Carter holds a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University and a master’s degree from the University of Georgia. Carter began his teaching career in Clarke County in 1999 and then came to Oconee County Schools as a teacher in 2000. From 2008-10, he was assistant principal at Malcom Bridge Elementary School. After that, he was principal at Colham Ferry Elementary School from 2010-16. Mr. Carter has been principal at Oconee County Middle School since 2016. Under his leadership, the school has twice been named a Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals (GASSP) Breakout School. In addition, Mr. Carter was named GASSP Principal of the Year in 2020.

Carter and his wife, Bess, are the proud parents of four children.

“After six wonderful years at Oconee County Middle School, I am very excited to become the new principal at North Oconee High School,” said Carter. “It is with great pride and honor that I am joining the North Oconee family to work collaboratively with students, staff, and parents. I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence in academics, athletics, and fine arts at NOHS.”

Ms. Sara Johnson

Currently: Assistant Principal of Oconee County Elementary School

As of June 1, 2022: Principal of Rocky Branch Elementary School

Ms. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgia College and State University, and her master’s and specialist degrees from the University of Georgia. She began her teaching career in Oconee County Schools in 2008, where she served at Malcom Bridge Middle School. In 2017, she moved into a leadership role as assistant principal at Oconee County Primary School. This school year, she has been assistant principal at Oconee County Elementary School.

She and her husband, Nolan, are the proud parents of two children.

“I am honored to begin my 15th year with Oconee County Schools as principal of Rocky Branch Elementary School, after serving in leadership roles at Oconee County Primary School and Oconee County Elementary School,” said Johnson. “I look forward to joining the faculty, staff, students, and parents as we recognize the brilliance in every student. Continued excellence is an utmost priority of mine, and I am proud to carry on the ROCKETS’ Way.”

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