Jackson High School Principal Stephanie Johnson has been named Atlanta's Principal of the Year. Johnson, a former Clayton County educator who has worked in schools for 21 years, is also the Georgia Principal of the Year and a finalist for National Principal of the Year.

West End Academy Assistant Principal Cedrick Gilbert, who has been teaching for 19 years in the Atlanta area, is Atlanta’s assistant principal of the year.

Two other Atlanta Public Schools educators also received awards. Douglass High School counselor Sheryl Neely received the district’s Schools First Award and Social Emotional Learning coordinator Kori Sanchez Smith received the Students First Award.

The honorees and Atlanta's teachers of the year will be recognized during the APyeS! Awards ceremony later this month.

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A Georgia student warned friends about a shooting threat. He was expelled for it. (Abbey Edmonson/AJC)

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

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