EDUCATION
Changes for the new school year included the appointment of Stacy Carr as principal of Clifton Ridge Middle School, and she plans to keep the school running tightly as always.
The principal said she lives in Bibb County, and moved there when she was in the fifth grade from Indianapolis. She said she attended Georgia College, where she met several teachers at Clifton Ridge Middle School. She said she was part of the first teaching cohort the college ever had, and they were placed in Jones County schools.
“At the time we were placed at Gray Elementary School with Diana Blizzard, who was the principal. Then things were split when Dames Ferry Elementary School was built,” she said. “I fell in love with Jones County, because everyone is always so involved with the community. I knew this is where I wanted to be career wise.”
Carr said she was excited to step into the role as principal of Clifton Ridge Middle School, and knew how the school already operated due to being the assistant principal at the school for the past two years.
“Mr. Rackley accepted a promotion, then the former principal Dennis Woolfolk was approached to move to the high school. They spoke to me about moving up to interim principal at Clifton Ridge Middle School. Mr. Woolfolk and I both accepted our roles, even though time was not on our side. We wanted to do what was best for Jones County and the kids, so we knew we’d go where we are needed,” she said.
Carr said she knew Woolfolk would be a great fit for the principal at the Jones County High School, but it was still tough to lose him at Clifton Ridge. She said it was easier to step into his previous role as principal for Clifton Ridge due to having a wonderful supportive team at the middle school.
“Mr. Woolfolk and I were such a great team, since we were principal and assistant principal. We had put so many procedures in place over the previous years, and plans were already in place,” Carr said. “We’ve had to adjust to losing a very valuable team member, but we always run a tight ship here and we’re prepared.”
The principal said her career up until two years ago as assistant principal at Clifton Ridge Middle School was in an elementary school. She said she’s been with Turner Woods Elementary School and was the instructional coach at Dames Ferry Elementary School for most of her career in education. She said she was in Peach County for a little bit as well.
“The majority of my career has been in Jones County, and I already knew a lot of the staff here. Going from elementary to middle school was an adjustment, because middle schoolers are a little different. I do generally like middle school, though,” she said.
Carr said the staff at Clifton Ridge Middle School is like a family. She said everyone tries to keep a line of communication open. The teachers keep the students a focus, and always work well together.
“I’m not planning to leave Clifton Ridge,” she said. “When I establish relationships and enjoy who I work with, I don’t look to leave. This is where I want to be as long as they’ll have me here.”
