Gwinnett BOE approves the appointment of five new principals

During its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on June 20, 2024, the Gwinnett County Board of Education approved the appointment of five new principals.

• Dr. Jimmie L. McKinley has been named the new principal at Duluth Middle School. He currently serves as Assistant Principal at McClure Health Science High School. Dr. McKinley replaces Cindy Kinchen who is the principal at Duluth High School.
• Jennifer M. Redd has been named the new principal at Harris Elementary School. She currently serves as Assistant Principal at Chattahoochee Elementary School. Redd replaces Dr. Erin A. Hahn who is a Cluster Superintendent.
• Courtney Murphy-Bernardo has been named the new principal at McKendree Elementary School. She currently serves as Assistant Principal at Harbins Elementary School. Murphy-Bernardo replaces Tyese M. Scott who is the principal at Creekland Middle School.
• Dr. Katoria B. Gaston has been named the new principal at Norton Elementary School. She currently serves as Assistant Principal at Cooper Elementary School. She replaces Melanie Lee who accepted a position in a neighboring school district.
• Dr. Tiffany N. Brown is the new principal at Shiloh Middle School. She currently serves as Principal at Hollis Innovation Academy, Atlanta Public Schools.

 

Dr. Jimmie L. McKinley - Principal, Duluth Middle School:

GCPS Employment:

2019-Present               Assistant Principal, McClure Health Science High School

2016-2019                   Associate Principal, Meadowcreek High School

2013-2016                   Fine Arts Department Chair, Meadowcreek High School

2011-2013                   Fine Arts Department Chair, South Gwinnett High School

2009-2013                   Music Teacher & Band Director, South Gwinnett High School

2004-2009                   Music Teacher & Band Director, Meadowcreek High School

2002-2004                   Associate Band Director, Austin-East Magnet High School & Vine Middle School, Knoxville, Tenn.

 

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Music— University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Master’s degree in Music Education— University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Specialist degree in Administrator Leadership— Walden University

Specialist degree in Educational Leadership— Mercer University

Doctoral degree in Administrator Leadership— Walden University

 

Dr. McKinley is a member of the 2025 Quality Plus-Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 17.

 

Jennifer M. Redd, Harris Elementary School:

GCPS Employment:

2017-Present               Assistant Principal, Chattahoochee Elementary School

2013-2017                   1st Grade Teacher, Chattahoochee Elementary School

2007-2013                   2nd and 3rd Grade Teacher, Corley Elementary School

 

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Education— Auburn University

Master’s degree in Reading and Mathematics— Walden University

Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership— University of West Alabama

 

Redd is a member of the 2025 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 17, and a graduate of the 2018 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Leader Program, Cohort 9.

 

Courtney Murphy-Bernardo, McKendree Elementary School:

GCPS Employment:

2019-Present               Assistant Principal, Harbins Elementary School

2011-2019                   Special Education Teacher, Harris Elementary School

 

Other Employment:

2006-2011                   Private Tutor

2004-2007                   Special Education Teacher, Dolvin Elementary School, Fulton County Schools

2002-2004                   Special Education Teacher, Forsyth County Schools

1998-2002                   Special Education Teacher, Panola Way Elementary School, DeKalb County School District

 

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Special Education— Avila University

Master’s degree in Educational Leadership— Georgia State University

 

Murphy-Bernardo is a member of the 2025 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principal Program, Cohort 17, and a graduate of the 2019 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Leader Program, Cohort 10.

 

Dr. Katoria B. Gaston, Norton Elementary School:

GCPS Employment:

2019-Present               Assistant Principal, Cooper Elementary School

2019-2023                   Assistant Principal, Norton Elementary School

2016-2019                   Instructional Coach, Division of Teaching and Learning

2015-2016                   Teacher, Graves Elementary School

2013-2015                   Teacher, Nesbit Elementary School

 

Other Employment:

2011-2013                   Teacher, Houston County Board of Education,

2009-2011                   Teacher,Bibb County Public Schools

2008-2009                   Teacher, DeKalb County Public Schools

2002-2006                   Teacher, Clayton County Public Schools

 

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Early Education— Fort Valley State University

Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction— Central Michigan University

Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership— Argosy University

Doctoral degree in Educational Curriculum and Instruction— American College of Education

 

Dr. Gaston is a graduate of the 2020 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Leader Program, Cohort 11, and a member of the 2025 Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Aspiring Principals Program, Cohort 17.

 

Dr. Tiffany N. Brown, Shiloh Middle School:

Other Employment:

2022-Present               Principal, Atlanta Public Schools

2015-2022                   Principal, DeKalb County Public Schools

1996-2015                   Assistant Principal, DeKalb County Public Schools

 

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science with Biology Concentration— Spelman College

Master’s degree in Educational Leadership—University of Georgia

Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership— Argosy University

Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership— Argosy University