Cindy Loe seems to thrive when her calendar is packed.

Why else would she resign from one job and start a new one two weeks before her eldest daughter's wedding?

"I guess that is a lot going on," she joked a few days before the nuptials.

Loe was sworn in April 1 as superintendent of Fulton County schools. She quit her previous job as associate superintendent of teaching and learning for the Gwinnett County Public Schools the Friday before.

Sitting in her freshly painted office, Loe talked about some of her plans. Improving student achievement and staff development are high on her list.

"I want to make sure every student in Fulton County has a chance to succeed at the highest level possible," she said. "That will involve making sure schools have all of the materials and support they need, and I want to do that."

She's already made changes in the math curriculum for next year and beyond. At her first school board workshop, she recommended the district adopt a plan that will blend traditional and nontraditional teaching methods. The board liked the plan and adopted it on the spot.

Changes like that are what Linda Schultz, the District 1 school board representative, hopes to see more of.

"Her strengths are curriculum and instruction," she said. "I'm really interested to see her address some of our other needs in that area."

Schultz is one of two board members who abstained from voting to hire Loe She said her abstention was not a mark on Loe's abilities.

"It wasn't that I didn't think she could do the job, it was just at that time I wanted to continue the process of looking at other candidates with a bit more experience," she said. "Now that we've hired Dr. Loe, I'm behind her 100 percent and I think she knows that."

Loe said she was not at all swayed by the less-than-unanimous vote she received. In fact, it made her want to work harder, she said. Loe said her goal is to work closely with the board and "come to a consensus as often as possible."

Loe says she is enthusiastic about working with school staff, parents and community members. She plans to speak to various groups about her plans.

"I want people to know I'm accessible," she said. "I want to know what people have to say. That will help me do my job better."

Earlier this month, College Park hosted a reception in her honor and invited several leaders from other cities in south Fulton.

"That was so we could get to know her and she could get to know us," said College Park Mayor Jack Longino. "You've got to know people if you want to work together."

Longino said he got a "good vibe" from Loe and he thinks she'll be good for the system.

One of the things Loe plans on tackling is the chasm that exists between north and south Fulton schools. Test scores have traditionally been lower in the southern part of the county, but this doesn't have to be, she said. She has plans to visit each school to assess the needs there and make adjustments as needed.

"She's walked into several unresolved challenges here," said District 7 representative Julia Bernath, the school board president. "But that hasn't deterred her, and I think that says something about her."

Loe said this job is a "dream come true," but she knows this is no fairy tale.

"I want to push students, all students, to do the best they can, and that's not going to be easy," she said. "But that's what I'm committed to do."

WHERE DID THEY GO?

Former Fulton County superintendents

Stephen Dolinger

> July 20, 1995 —- Sept. 1, 2002

> Became president of the nonprofit Georgia Partnership for Excellence

Michael Payne (interim)

> Sept. 1, 2002 —-June 1, 2003

> He had retired from Fulton County schools when he was appointed as interim superintendent

John Haro

> June 1, 2003 —- Oct. 24, 2003

> Moved back to Minnesota with his family

Michael Vanairsdale

> Oct. 25, 2003 —- Feb. 10, 2005

> Took job with Georgia's Leadership Institute for School Improvement

James Wilson

> Feb. 10, 2005 —- April 1, 2008

> Retired

THE CINDY LOE FILE

> Age: 50

> Family: Married with two adult daughters and a Yorkshire terrier named Mogli.

> Experience: Has held the positions of teacher, assistant principal and middle school principal and has more than 26 years in public education.

> Education: She received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Georgia State University, her master's degree in middle-grade and gifted education from Armstrong State College in Savannah, and her doctorate in educational leadership from Georgia State.