Atlanta Public Schools and the Atlanta Board of Education announced the appointments of seven new principals and a new executive director of athletics at the board’s monthly executive meeting, Monday evening.
All of the appointments are effective July 1, 2025.
Gregory Goodwin, Executive Director of Athletics
Goodwin brings more than 30 years of experience in educational athletics and school leadership to his new role in APS. Previously, he served as interim athletic director for DeKalb County Schools and as principal of Redan High School in DeKalb County.
Brian Baron, Principal, Morningside Elementary School
Baron is an accomplished educator with 20-plus years of experience focusing on children, building a sense of community in schools, and supporting.
Since 2018, Baron has served on the Morningside Elementary School administrative team, initially as school business manager and most recently as assistant principal and interim principal. Prior to joining the Morningside community of teaching and learning, he served in a variety of instructional and leadership roles, including district testing and assessment administrator in APS, high school teacher, and assistant principal at both the elementary and high school levels.
Baron is a firm believer in the power and promise of public education, where every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and where educators have the distinct honor of guiding future leaders toward choice-filled lives and lifelong learning.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Linguistics from Emory University, a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Georgia, and a School Leadership and Management certificate from Harvard University. These experiences have shaped his vision for inclusive, effective, and compassionate school leadership.
Summer Clayton, Principal, E. Rivers Elementary School
Clayton is a dedicated and accomplished educator with a career spanning three decades. She currently serves as assistant principal at Glenwood Elementary School in City Schools of Decatur.
Since beginning her educational journey in 1996, Clayton has held a variety of impactful roles in both traditional public and charter school settings. For 15 years she has served the City Schools of Decatur, where she has made significant contributions across multiple schools and grade levels. Her roles have included elementary teacher at Clairemont Elementary, instructional coach at Winnona Park Elementary, and assistant principal at Beacon Hill Middle School.
Beyond her work in Decatur, Clayton has broadened her impact nationally. She has experience as a middle school teacher, and she has also served as the founding principal and executive director of two charter schools, one located in Idaho and another in North Carolina. These leadership roles reflect her capacity to launch and guide schools with vision, instructional expertise, and a strong commitment to student success.
Clayton’s broad and deep experience across elementary and middle school education, as well as her leadership in both public and charter schools, reflects her passion for student-centered learning and school improvement.
Tiauna Crooms, Principal, Booker T. Washington High School
Crooms currently serves as the interim principal at Booker T. Washington High School and is a valued and familiar leader in the APS community, known for her strong leadership, commitment to student success, and ability to foster collaborative school cultures.
She has served in such roles as principal of the senior academy at Booker T. Washington High School, where she led a team of over 100 educators and staff, serving more than 600 students. Under her leadership, the school achieved measurable academic gains and was named a Reward School by the Georgia Department of Education. She also implemented impactful anti-bullying and character education initiatives, which earned the school a No Place for Hate designation.
Similarly, she led Herman J. Russell West End Academy, where she skillfully managed the school’s budget and oversaw essential services, including wraparound support for students, and data-driven professional development for teachers and leaders. Through strategic partnerships with organizations like Georgia Tech’s CEISMC and numerous Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), she expanded STEM and mentorship opportunities for students, reinforcing her commitment to equity and post-secondary readiness.
Throughout her career, Crooms has remained focused on student achievement. She has championed the integration of technology, promoted cultural awareness, and maintained high expectations for academic excellence. A proud graduate of Atlanta Public Schools herself, she is deeply invested in ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality learning experiences.
Shermain Jennings, Principal, Frederick Douglass High School
With 23 years in education, Jennings brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and commitment to his role. A valued member of the Frederick Douglass High School community for 12 years, he has previously served eight years as a classroom teacher and four years as an assistant principal before stepping into his current leadership position as interim principal. His dedication to the academic and personal growth of all scholars is evident in every aspect of his work.
A native of Union, South Carolina, Jennings holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Morehouse College and a master’s degree in Information Technology from American Intercontinental University. He also earned his educational leadership certification from the University of West Georgia, further strengthening his qualifications to lead in diverse educational settings.
Jennings began his teaching career at a Psychological Education Center in DeKalb County and later taught at both Ralph J. Bunche Middle School and Frederick Douglass High School, serving the Southwest Atlanta community with distinction. Prior to his current role, he also served as Assistant Principal at Benjamin E. Mays High School, where he continued to build strong relationships with students and families.
Angela Mitchell, Principal, North Atlanta High School
Dr. Mitchell currently serves as interim principal of North Atlanta High School, where she previously served as assistant principal. She has 24 years of experience as an educator and has been a proud member of the North Atlanta school community for the past 16 years.
During her time at North Atlanta, Dr. Mitchell has been successful in overseeing many important functions such as serving as School Testing Coordinator and supervisor of the Mathematics Department, helping to ensure academic rigor and student achievement across key subject areas.
Her journey in education began as a mathematics teacher at Booker T. Washington High School, where she developed a passion for instructional excellence and student empowerment. In 2008, she joined North Atlanta High School as an instructional coach, and shortly thereafter, transitioned into school leadership as assistant principal, a role that has allowed her to support both students and staff in meaningful and long-lasting ways.
Dr. Mitchell’s strong knowledge of instruction, passion for children and deep love for her North Atlanta High School community has been instrumental in the school’s success over the years.
Kristy Reese, Principal, L.O. Kimberly Elementary School
Reese is an accomplished educator and dedicated leader with over two decades of service in the field of education.
Reese currently serves as interim principal for Kimberly Elementary School and has more than 20 years of experience in public education, including 11 years as a classroom teacher, four years as an instructional coach and curriculum support teacher, and eight years as an assistant principal.
Throughout her career she has demonstrated a deep commitment to academic excellence and student success. Under her shared leadership, Kimberly Elementary School achieved a major milestone: being recognized for “Beating the Odds” and being removed from Georgia’s list of “failing” schools, a testament to her impact on school improvement and student achievement.
Reese is a proud product of Atlanta Public Schools, having attended district schools from second through 12th grade. She went on to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education, and Leadership and Administration, respectively, from Georgia State University, and later earned an Education Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from Valdosta State University. Her leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including Atlanta Public Schools Assistant Principal of the Year for 2023–2024.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Reese is a devoted wife and the mother of four children, two of whom are college graduates and two currently in high school. She believes deeply in the power of rigorous instructional materials, effective teaching strategies, and nurturing learning environments as essential tools for helping students reach their highest potential.
Adib Shakir, Principal, Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy
Dr. Shakir’s career reflects a strong dedication to public education, student support and services, and instructional leadership.
Most recently he served as principal of Princeton Elementary School in the DeKalb County School District. In this role, he demonstrated a high level of leadership and administrative responsibility, and was named the zone’s principal of the year, reflecting the district’s recognition of his capabilities and impact.
Prior to this leadership role, Dr. Shakir served in multiple instructional positions within Atlanta Public Schools where he began as a special education interrelated teacher in 2017, before advancing to the role of special education specialist in 2018, a testament to his growing expertise in student support services and specialized instruction. He has also served as adjunct faculty at Chattahoochee Technical College, highlighting his versatility as an educator and his commitment to preparing students for academic and professional success.
Dr. Shakir’s professional history displays a strong foundation in education, with extensive experience supporting students with varying needs, managing school operations, and contributing to faculty development. His consistent upward trajectory and proven performance underscore his value as an educational leader and advocate for student success.
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