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Gwinnett County Public Schools

At its March 17, 2022, business meeting, the Gwinnett County Board of Education appointed principals for Anderson-Livsey Elementary School, Lilburn Elementary School, and Sycamore Elementary School. In addition, the Board tapped Archer High School Principal Ken Johnson as a Director of Leadership Development.

  • Joanne Vigilant has been named the principal of Anderson-Livsey Elementary School. Ms. Vigilant currently serves as principal at Robert M. Bracker Elementary School in the Nogales Unified School District in Nogales, Arizona. She will fill the vacancy created as a result of Principal Christine Knox’s acceptance of a position in another school
  • Michael “Mike” Bender, the current principal at Woodward Mill Elementary School, will transition in June to become the new principal of Lilburn Elementary He will fill the position formerly held by Guerléne Merisme who transferred to the principal post at Magill Elementary School.
  • Kelly Scarborough, currently the principal of Rockbridge Elementary School, will transfer to serve as the principal of Sycamore Elementary School. Dr. Scarborough fills the vacancy created as a result of Principal Crystal Cooper’s transfer to Starling Elementary School.

Joanne Vigilant, Principal, Anderson-Livsey Elementary School

Employment:

2019-Present     Principal, Robert M. Bracker Elementary School (Nogales, AZ)

2013-2019          Principal, Pima Rose Academy (Tucson, AZ)

2011-2012          Principal, ALLSPORT Academy (Tucson, AZ)

2010-2011          Teacher, Imago Dei Middle School (Tucson, AZ)

2006-2010          Director of Counseling, St. Gregory College Preparatory School (Tucson, AZ)

2000-2004          Teacher, Ford Elementary School (Tucson, AZ)

1999-2003          Sign Language Interpreter, Tucson Unified School District (Tucson, AZ)

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Education— Prescott College (AZ)

Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology— Prescott College (AZ) Master’s degree in Educational Leadership—Northern Arizona University


Mike Bender, Principal, Lilburn Elementary SchoolMike Bender

GCPS Employment:

2015-Present     Principal, Woodward Mill Elementary School

2011-2014          Assistant Principal, Hull Middle School

2007-2011          Assistant Principal, Kanoheda Elementary School

2003-2007         Teacher, Meadowcreek High School

1999-2003         Teacher, Sweetwater Middle School

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Social Studies Education— Georgia State University

Master’s degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment — Walden University Specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership —Mercer University

Mr. Bender is a graduate of the 2010 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program Cohort 4.


Dr. Kelly Scarborough, Principal, Sycamore ElementaryDr. Kelly Scarborough

GCPS Employment:

2010-Present     Principal, Rockbridge Elementary School

2006-2010         Assistant Principal, Norcross Elementary School

2005-2006         Teacher, Dacula Elementary School

1998-2001         Teacher, Jackson Elementary School

Other Employment:

2021-Present      New Principal Mentor, Georgia State Principal Center

2017-2020           Adjunct Professor, Thomas University

2003-2005          Teacher, Russom Elementary School, Paulding County Schools

2001-2003          Teacher, Shelton Elementary School, Paulding County Schools

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education — University of Georgia Master’s degree in Education— Piedmont College

Specialist’s degree in Education — Georgia State University Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies— Georgia State University

Dr. Scarborough is a graduate of the 2009 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 3.