Administration

Mr. Samuel West, Principal
ext. 599109
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Samuel Wayne West has over 25 years of experience as an educator working in a variety of public, charter and private school settings. Mr. West has served as a nursery and preschool director, administrator for a Kindergarten – 8th grade Academy, educational consultant, classroom teacher, elementary principal, middle school assistant principal, middle school principal, high school assistant principal, and high school principal. Mr. West was a 2010 – 2011 district finalist for teacher of the year, named Principal of the year for the 2017-2018 school year and was named a district finalist for Principal of the year for the 2018-2019 school year.

After working in the utility industry for seven years, his interests shifted toward full-time ministry where he worked in various capacities for twelve years. Mr. West earned his undergraduate degree from Fort Valley State College, his master’s degree in Educational Management from Strayer University, his Educational Specialist degree from Liberty University and his leadership certification from Georgia State University.

Mr. West views a collaborative school environment as the key to creating successful teachers and students. His daily affirmations over his staff and students undergird his belief that if you model what success looks like to students and get them to change their mindset of what is possible to achieve, they will soon realize “they can win with what they have”. He believes a three-fold cord, is not easily broken, and as home and school partner together for student success, academic achievement is inevitable.

Dr. Phillip Ramsey, High School Assistant Principal
ext. 599120
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Dr. Phillip Ramsey is finishing his 23rd year in education. He completed the first leg of his educational journey as a graduate of Douglas County High School in Douglasville, Georgia in 1994. After realizing that he did not want to be a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech, he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 2002. He went on to earn his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership in 2009 and his Ph.D in Curriculum & Instruction from Mercer University in 2012. Dr. Ramsey taught High School Algebra, 6th -8th grade Mathematics, 6th -8th grade Social Studies, 6th grade Science, and one year of 5th grade gifted (all content areas). Dr. Ramsey transitioned to his current role as Assistant Principal at Elite Scholars Academy in January of 2015. He has overseen a myriad of activities at ESA during his tenure, even serving as Senior Class Sponsor for the Class of 2022.

Dr. Ramsey enjoys spending time with his family and watching UNC Tar Heels athletic events (especially football and basketball). He has been married to his wife April since 1999. She is a senior nurse clinical manager for Emory Healthcare. They have two children. Jacob is entering his senior year Liberty University student on a full scholarship (double major of Pastoral Studies and Biblical Leadership) and Grace is a junior at Georgia College and State University majoring in English.
 

Ms. Tanya Kirk , Middle School Assistant Principal
ext. 599132
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Ms. Tanya Kirk is a dedicated educational leader with over 20 years of service in public education. She proudly acknowledges that all of her experience has taken place within Clayton County Public Schools. A Mississippi native, Ms. Kirk graduated from Alcorn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Her passion for learning and instructional excellence led her to pursue a Master’s degree from Central Michigan University and an Education Specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University, both in Curriculum and Instruction. She holds Tier II Educational Leadership certification and is endorsed in gifted education, all middle grades content areas, and coaching.

Ms. Kirk began her career in 2001 at Riverdale Middle School, where she taught multiple subjects including reading, math, science, Physical Science, and Algebra I. She also served in key leadership roles such as department chair, grade level chair, RTI/SST Chair, and GPS Performance Trainer/Coach for the district. In 2009, she earned the distinction of Teacher of the Year and was recognized as a Clayton County Teacher of the Year Finalist.

In 2013, Ms. Kirk transitioned to a district-level support role as a data analyst in the Office of School Improvement. Her first formal school leadership role came in 2017 when she became an assistant principal. She is elated to continue her work in school leadership as the Assistant Principal for Middle School at Elite Scholars Academy.

Beyond the professional sphere, Ms. Kirk enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. She loves attending sporting events—especially football and track and field—as well as experiencing the energy of live music and the joy of cooking for family and friends. A self-proclaimed foodie, she delights in discovering new restaurants and trying a variety of cuisines.