Smith named 5th Grade Academy Principal

May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'Congratulations! Carla Smith Principal 5th Grade Academy STEPHENS COUNTY SERD'

The Stephens County School System has named Carla Smith the new Principal of the Stephens County Fifth Grade Academy, effective July 1, 2025.

A Stephens County native and graduate, Mrs. Smith has served as the Assistant Principal of Liberty Elementary School for three years. Her experience includes six years as a teacher at Eastanollee Elementary School and seven years as a teacher at Demorest Elementary School.

She earned a Master of Arts in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Walden University and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Georgia. She also earned Endorsements in Reading and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and a Certification from the University of Georgia in Instructional Conversations.

Superintendent Dr. Connie Franklin states, “Carla Smith will bring a wealth of experience and dedication to her new role as the Principal of Stephens County Fifth Grade Academy. Having excelled as Assistant Principal at Liberty Elementary, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, a compassionate heart, and strong interpersonal skills. Her unwavering commitment to student success will continue to drive our mission forward. Additionally, she will play a crucial role as we transition our elementary schools back to a preschool-through-fifth-grade structure beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.”

“I am honored to have been chosen for this opportunity,” says Mrs. Smith. “I am proud to serve students, families, and the community of Stephens County as Principal of 5th Grade Academy.  As principal, my goal is to build upon the positive culture and effective practices that have already been established. My goal is for 5th Grade Academy to be a safe, respectful environment where students and teachers feel valued and supported. I envision classroom settings where students are engaged in high-quality learning that fosters curiosity and a desire to learn more, and I look forward to working with the staff to make this a reality.” 

Mrs. Smith will assume the principal position on July 1, 2025, following the leadership of Joni Whitfield, who has been named the new SCHS CTAE Director beginning July 1, 2025.