After 16 years with City Schools Decatur, Clairemont Elementary Principal Erin Wheeler Gutfreund recently announced she is leaving at year’s end. She and her husband Ronny are moving to Brooklyn where he’s becoming director of national alternative promotion for Capitol Records.
This is Gutfreund’s sixth year at Clairemont, which among several honors this year, was named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School.
Gutfreund, 41, who began her CSD career in 1999 teaching at fifth grade at Clairemont—she was the system’s teacher of the year in 2004—isn’t sure what lies ahead.
“I may start my doctorate,” she said. “I’m looking to get into the national side of education, either the policy or legislative side. I’m really passionate about creating opportunities for students regardless of economic background.”
Clairemont is one of three Title One schools in CSD, and 34 percent of its students receive free and reduced breakfast and lunch, nearly the double the next school in Decatur’s system.
About the Author
