Coile Middle School gets new principal

The Clarke County School Board names Dr. Beverly Ford as the new principal of Coile Middle School: Ford will replace the retiring Dr. Marsha Thomas, who is leaving after 22 years at the helm of the school in Athens. Dr. Ford has been an assistant principal at Coile.

From the Clarke Co School District…

"Dr. Ford brings years of historical knowledge and experience to her new role as principal of Coile Middle School. She has consistently shown a high level of commitment to the Clarke County School District and our work," states Dr. Xernona Thomas, interim superintendent. "She is passionate about meeting the needs of all students and works to ensure rigorous learning strategies are implemented. We are excited to have her as the new instructional leader of the Cougar community."

Dr. Ford received a Doctorate in P-12 Education Leadership from Georgia Southern, a Master of Arts in Special Education from Piedmont College, a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from North Carolina Central, and holds numerous certifications including Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership, Gifted In-Field, and an English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement.

"It is truly a privilege to be a part of a community where parents, teachers, and students care for each other and strive to build positive relationships that support academic and social growth," states Dr. Ford. "I have enjoyed each experience along my educational journey and excited about my next role as principal at Coile Middle. It is my goal to engage and empower every child and to have them feel a part of the Cougar family. I embrace Rita Pierson's quote, 'Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly