Gwinnett educator named finalist for Georgia principal of the year

Dr. Tommy Welch has been named a finalist for the Georgia Association of Secondary Schools' Principal of the Year award.

Credit: Courtesy of Gwinnett County Schools

Credit: Courtesy of Gwinnett County Schools

Dr. Tommy Welch has been named a finalist for the Georgia Association of Secondary Schools' Principal of the Year award.

Dr. Tommy Welch is a finalist for the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals’ Principal of the Year award.

Welch has been principal of Meadowcreek High School in Norcross since 2011, when he was promoted from interim principal. Formerly an assistant principal, he was named interim after principal Bob Jackson died earlier that year.

Welch is one of five finalists for the award, which recognizes a middle or high school principal each year. The finalists are determined by their schools’ performance, and the winner is chosen after all five finalists are interviewed.

The other finalists are:

  • Dara Bennett, Pierce County High School, Pierce County
  • Dr. Sean Kelly, Chapel Hill High School, Douglas County
  • Dr. Tiffany Taylor, Carver Road Middle School, Spalding County
  • Joy Warren, Clements Middle School, Newton County

The winner will go on to compete for the national principal of the year award, sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Welch first joined Meadowcreek High School as a teacher in 2003. In 2006, he was promoted to assistant principal. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees  from the University at Buffalo and got his PhD from Mercer University.