After 11 years heading up Decatur’s College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center, Suzanne Kennedy is retiring at the end of this year. She came in 2006, one year after City Schools Decatur brought all its birth-to-five programs under one roof, initially as director and then later as principal.
By far the biggest day in her professional career was Valentines Day 2013 when President Barack Obama visited College Heights.
“We had one week to prepare for his arrival,” Kennedy said. “The White House called us on Thursday, and the secret service came on Friday. We had to set up a communications center in my office in case there was an emergency and he would have to communicate with world leaders.”
A 1985 graduate of the University of Georgia, Kennedy began her career that same year as a kindergarten teacher in Walton County. She has continued to live in Athens making the three-hour round-trip commute daily.
“I will stay involved in education,” she said. “But my whole family is in Athens and that includes two grandchildren and both my parents. I’m looking for work that’s both close to home and part time.”
Kennedy is CSD’s third high-profile employee to announce retirement in the last six weeks. Longtime Athletics Director Carter Wilson and Director of Elementary Education Mary Mack are also stepping down at the end of this year.
About the Author
