At its regularly scheduled business meeting on February 23, 2023, the Gwinnett County Board of Education (BOE) approved the appointment of new principals at Berkeley Lake Elementary School and White Oak Elementary School, as well as a new Executive Director of Instructional Technology and Innovation.

• Ms. Ashley Coughlin has been named the new principal at Berkeley Lake Elementary School. Ms. Coughlin currently serves as Assistant Principal at Harris Elementary School. She replaces Dr. Lesley Pendleton who has been named Director of Talent Management.
• Ms. Stacey Pickett has been named the new Principal at White Oak Elementary School. Ms. Pickett currently serves as assistant principal at White Oak Elementary. She replaces Jean Loethen who retired.
• Ms. Lisa Watkins has been named executive director of Instructional Technology and Innovation. She replaces Trisha Kennedy who retired.                                                                                                                    

Ms. Ashley Coughlin, Principal, Berkeley Lake Elementary School:

GCPS Employment:

2014-Present      Assistant Principal, Harris Elementary School

2012-2014          Local School Technology Coordinator, Harris Elementary School

2010-2012          Teacher, Roberts Elementary School

2007-2010          Teacher, Suwanee Elementary School

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education—Georgia State University

Master’s degree in Instructional Technology in Education—Walden University

Specialist degree in Educational Leadership—University of West Georgia

Ms. Coughlin is a member of the 2023 Quality Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 16.

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Ms. Stacey Pickett, Principal, White Oak Elementary School:

GCPS Employment:

2009-Present        Assistant Principal, White Oak Elementary School

2004-2009            Assistant Principal, Gwin Oaks Elementary School

2003-2004            Teacher, Cooper Elementary School

1999-2003            Title I Teacher, Stripling Elementary School

Other Employment:

1998-1999             Teacher, Browns Mill Elementary, DeKalb County Schools, Ga.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Education—Stetson University

Master’s degree in Education—Brenau University

Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision—Lincoln Memorial University
 

Ms. Pickett is a member of the 2023 Quality Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 16.

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Ms. Lisa Watkins, Executive Director of Instructional Technology & Innovation:

GCPS Employment:

2017-Present     Director of School Technology, GCPS

2014-2017          Lead Program Facilitator, Instructional Technology, GCPS

2012-2013          Local School Technology Coordinator, Archer High School

2010-2012          Language Arts Teacher, Archer High School

1999-2005          Instructional Lead Teacher and Trainer, Gwinnett Online Campus

1991-1999          Language Arts Teacher, Gwinnett Online Campus

Other Employment:

2013-2014          Director, School Programs and Services, K12, Inc.

2008-2010          Director, Dean of Facility, KC Distance Learning

2005-2008          Program Manager/Founding Administrator, GA Virtual School, Georgia Department of Education

2004-2005          Owner/Consultant, Virtual Learning Solutions

Instructional Lead Teacher/Trainer, GA eLearning Program, Georgia Department of Education                                         

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in English—Emory University

Master’s degree in Deaf Education—Georgia State University

Specialist degree in Educational Leadership—NOVA Southeastern University