EDUCATION
Chance Scott, a Jones Countian known in the community, is now the assistant principal at Clifton Ridge Middle School.
He said he’s lived in Jones County his entire life, and lives in River North with his family. He said Jones County is a great place to live and a great place to grow his career.
“I love the sense of community here. Our community rallies behind each other, whether it’s someone sick or something else going on,” he said. “I truly believe the sense of community we have here, and being able to walk through the grocery store, knowing who you see matters.”
Scott said he wasn’t surprised to be stepping into the role as assistant principal at Clifton Ridge Middle School, but he was excited. He said his duties are different, but in a good way.
“Mr. Rackley left the high school, then Mr. Woolfolk took over as principal at the high school. Dr. Carr became the principal here at Clifton Ridge, so that left a vacancy for the assistant principal position. I had interviewed for assistant principal positions before. I was a special education coordinator, so I was doing a lot of administrative duties already. When all of this came together, it was like a perfect storm,” Scott said.
The new assistant principal said he was sad to leave the high school but becoming the assistant principal at Clifton Ridge Middle School seemed like the right move for him. He said it’s a great fit for him. He said everyone was welcoming at the middle school, even though the change was sudden.
“I’m fortunate enough to know where these middle schoolers are headed, so I hope to help them prepare and think about their future as they advance towards high school,” the assistant principal said. “I’ve been able to be in classrooms and meet with teachers more than ever before; that’s been exciting.”
He said since he’s from Jones County, he already knows a lot of students and parents from the area. He said being able to make connections with the students is something he’s passionate about and wants to make time for.
Scott graduated from Jones County High School in 2007, then attended Georgia Military College before moving on to Georgia College. He said he received his bachelors in education and began teaching. He decided to get his master’s degree, then his specialist degree soon after.
The new assistant principal said he started his career off in a small classroom that taught him a lot about patience and the challenges students face. He said he taught small group history for a while, and he was able to get students through high school who faced academic challenges. He said once school started back after COVID-19, he became the special education coordinator full time, which he found to be a rewarding role for him.
“I feel my background in special education has prepared me for this role and whatever comes next. It has helped me with all kinds of students, whether they are part of the special education program or not. I’ve been able to be in elementary, middle and high school settings due to my background as a coordinator,” he said.
Scott said middle schoolers are a little different from high schoolers, but they need someone to lean on like every other student in Jones County. He said he’s prepared to be that person in the school.
“My role here at Clifton Ridge is different. My plate is not as full, but my plate is different,” Scott said. “Things are different, but it’s a good difference. I’m not as stressed, and it just feels like where I’m supposed to be. I see myself here for a long time.”
