Fulton Superintendent Picks Assistant Principal to Lead Alpharetta High

's next principal should be familiar to parents, students, faculty and staff at the school. Shannon Kersey, who has most recently served as the curriculum assistant principal at the school, was picked by to take over at the start of the 2011-12 school year.

The Fulton County School Board accepted Avossa's recommendation at its work session on Tuesday, June 7, according to a letter sent to parents by Deputy Superintendent Linda Anderson on Tuesday afternoon.

Parents who haven't met Kersey get their next chance on Wednesday, June 8, from 6-7 p.m. in the school's media center. She will make comments following a brief reception.

Kersey replaces Gene Dunn as the school's latest principal.

Doug DeRito, who is president of the Alpharetta High School Foundation and is an Alpharetta City Council member, was glad to hear Kersey was picked.

"I think it's good for the school that we finally got a new principal and we can start the transition," DeRito said. "This will be our fourth principal in seven years, I think."

Kersey has been at the school for about 12 months. She knows the school and understands its issues, he said.

"From that standpoint, I think she will be a very positive leader for the school to take us forward. And I look forward to working with her," DeRito said.

She lives in Alpharetta with her husband, Scott, and two sons, Brannon and Bray. Both boys attend in Alpharetta.

As the curriculum assistant principal, Kersey has worked collaboratively with teachers to implement common assessments and make instructional adjustments to prepare students for End-of-Course Tests (EOCT) and other standardized assessments, Anderson said in her letter.

Dunn and Kersey will work closely together as a part of the transition so she can assume her role as quickly as possible in preparation for the upcoming school year, Anderson said. In addition, Kersey will start discussions with key stakeholders including staff members, parents and community members.

 "She's a young principal, but very willing I think to work hard for the students and the community. I'm here to help in any way I can," DeRito said, to make the school successful and even better than it is today.

Kersey received her Bachelor and Master of Arts Degrees in English from Georgia State University. She has continued her formal education at Georgia State where she is completing her doctoral studies in Educational Policy Studies with a concentration in Educational Leadership.

During her career, she has held positions at the elementary and high school levels as a teacher and curriculum assistant principal. Additionally, she has served as a coordinator of teacher development and director of instructional services.