At its regularly scheduled business meeting on July 20, 2023, the Gwinnett County Board of Education (BOE) approved the appointment of the district’s new Director of Internal Audit, Human Resources Director, Community Schools Director, Director of Multilingual Learners, and new principals.
The new appointments are as follows:
- Ms. Melissa M. McClelland has been named Principal at Rock Springs Elementary School. She replaces Dr. Allan Gee who has been promoted to Cluster Superintendent. Ms. McClelland serves as Assistant Principal at Woodward Mill Elementary School.
- Dr. Leslie L. Hill has been named Principal for Trip Elementary School. She replaces Dr. Rukina Walker who recently moved into the principalship at Grayson High School. Dr. Hill serves as Assistant Principal at Mason Elementary School.
- Mr. Jim Dawson has been named Director of Internal Audit. Mr. Dawson operates as Director of Financial Reporting at DeKalb County Board of Education. He replaces Glenda Ostrander who recently retired.
- Dr. Jeremy Foreman has been named Director of Human Resources. Dr. Foreman joins GCPS from service as Principal at Arthur Williams Middle School in Wayne County Schools. He replaces Dr. Ryan Vamplew who left the district.
- Ms. Soraia Santos-Felgenhauer has been named Director of Community Schools. Ms. Santos-Felgenhauer currently serves as Director of Family and Community Engagement at Clarke County Schools. She replaces Jennifer Fero who transferred to the Community Schools Director role at Norcross High School.
- Dr. Catana L. Harris has been named Director of Multilingual Learner Program. She performs as Coordinator of Multilingual Learner Program in the Division of Teaching and Learning. She is replacing Lynnette Aponte, currently serving as Director of the International Newcomer Center.
Ms. Melissa M. McClelland, Principal at Rock Springs Elementary School:
GCPS Employment:
2017-Present Assistant Principal, Woodward Mill ES
2016-2017 Instructional Coach, Woodward Mill ES
2013-2016 Instructional Coach, Office of Staff Development
2011-2013 Instructional Coach, Department of Special Education
2004-2011 Interrelated Resource Teacher, Parsons ES, Hull MS, Benefield ES
Other Employment
2003-2004 Interrelated Resource Teacher, Tarrant City Schools, Ala.
2001-2003 Interrelated Resource Teacher, Jefferson County Schools, Ala.
2000-2001 Kindergarten Teacher, Warrior ES, Jefferson County Schools, Ala.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education—University of Alabama at Birmingham
Master’s degree in Collaborative Education K-6— University of Alabama at Birmingham
Reading Endorsement—Georgia State University, GCPS
Specialist degree in Educational Administration & Policy—University of Georgia Athens
Ms. McClelland is a graduate of the 2017 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Leader Program, Cohort 8, and the 2023 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 16.
Dr. Lesley L. Hill, Principal for Trip Elementary School:
GCPS Employment:
2018-Present Assistant Principal, Mason ES
2010-2013 Director of Implementation, The College Board
2008 People to People Educator Delegate to China
2003-2004 Teacher on Special Assignment, Language Arts Department,
2013-2018 Reading Recovery and Literacy Coach, Mason ES
2004-2010 Teacher and Literacy Coach, Annistown ES
1999-2003 5th Grade Teacher, Gwin Oaks ES
Education:
Bachelor’s degree of Science in Education—University of Georgia
Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership—Walden University
Doctoral degree in Leadership and Management—Capella University
Dr. Hill is a graduate of the 2018 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Leader Program, Cohort 9, and the 2023 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 16.
Mr. Jim Dawson II, Director of Internal Audit:
2021-Present Director of Financial Reporting, DeKalb County Board of Education
2014-2021 Senior Auditor II, Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts (DOAA)
2014 Staff Accountant, McClendon and Associates CPA, P.C.
2013-2014 Tax Accountant, Connally, Jordan and Associates, CPA, P.C.
2007-2012 Certified Tax Preparer, Liberty Tax; Income Tax Preparer, SaveFirst: Division of Impact Alabama; Certified Trainer/Service Team Member, Darden Restaurants
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance—University of West Georgia
Dr. Jeremy Foreman, Director of Human Resources:
2020-Present Principal, Arthur Williams Middle School, Wayne County Schools
2018-2020 Adjunct Professor, College of Coastal Georgia
2016-2020 Assistant Principal, Glynn County Public Schools
2015-2016 Social Studies Teacher, Glynn County Public Schools
2014-2015 Social Studies Teacher, State of Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice
2008-2014 Social Studies Teacher, Burke County Public Schools
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in History (Secondary Education) —Paine College
Master’s degree in Educational Leadership—Georgia College and State University
Specialist degree in Educational Leadership—Georgia College and State University
Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership—Liberty University
Ms. Soraia Santos-Felgenhauer, Director of Community Schools:
2020-Present Director of Family and Community Engagement / Community Schools, Clarke County Schools
2015-2020 Assistant Principal, Oconee County Schools
2010-2015 Assistant Principal, Henry County Schools
2000-2010 School Counselor, Henry County Schools
1999-2000 Juvenile Probation Officer, Henry County Juvenile Justice
1998-1999 ACBEU ESOL Teacher, Salvador, Brazil
1995-1999 State Social Worker, Denver Department of Human Services
1993-1995 Family Counselor, Savio House Community Center
1990-1993 Youth Counselor, Denver Children’s Home
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology Bolivar —Southwest Baptist University
Master’s degree in Educational Counseling—University of Phoenix
Specialist degree in Educational Leadership Harrogate—Lincoln Memorial University
Dr. Catana L. Harris, Director of Multilingual Learner Program:
GCPS Employment:
2021-Present Coordinator of the Multilingual Learner Program
2016-2021 Assistant Principal, Minor ES
2015-2016 Assistant Principal, Trip ES
2014-2015 Assistant Principal, Alford ES
2003-2014 Alford ES Teacher and ESOL Lead Teacher (K-5)
2002-2003 3rd Grade Teacher, Benefield ES
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education —Troy State University
Master’s degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy—Walden University
Specialist degree in TESOL Education (P-12)—Nova Southeastern University
Specialist degree in TESOL Educational Leadership (P-12)—Nova Southeastern University
Gifted Education Endorsement—Gwinnett County Public Schools
Instructional Coach Endorsement—Gwinnett County Public Schools
Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership—Georgia State University