Three Atlanta Public Schools in Buckhead welcomed new principals at the beginning of this school year. Following are brief profiles of the three:
Name: Audrey Sofianos

School: Sutton Middle School

Principal Audrey Sofianos came to Sutton Middle School from Indianapolis, a city in which she was a principal for six years and for whom she still counts herself a fan of the Indianapolis Colts.

Sofianos holds degrees from both Indiana University and Butler University and she is currently working on her PhD through Purdue University. She moved to the Atlanta area not only for the new opportunity at Sutton, but to also be closer to her fiancé.

As a former teacher as well, Sofianos said she believes in a student-centered, nurturing environment, where there is an abundance of opportunities. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, reading, traveling and learning new things. Her most recent travels have taken her to Turkey and the latest new things she has learned are knitting and podcasting.

As a self-described “technology geek,” Sofianos hopes to transfer her love of technology to her new students at Sutton.

Name: David White

School: E. Rivers Elementary School

Principal David White is a native of Clinton, Tenn., a small town outside of Knoxville. He is a graduate of East Tennessee State University and did master’s work at both Oglethorpe and Georgia State Universities.

White’s career in education began in the Gwinnett County Public Schools at McKendree Elementary, where he was a third grade teacher. His career in the Atlanta Public School began in 1996 when he became a fifth grade teacher at Pitts Elementary School. He has served as an Instructional Liaison Specialist for both Lakewood and Garden Hills Elementary School and became an administrator at Sarah Smith Elementary in 2005.

As he continues his first year at E. Rivers Elementary School, White will also begin pursuing his PhD at Georgia State in January.

In his spare time, White said he enjoys renovating his home in Poncey-Highlands or relaxing at his cabin north of Ellijay.

Name: Amy Wilson

School: Garden Hills Elementary School

Principal Amy Wilson came to Atlanta in 1993 after graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in Elementary Education.

Wilson began her teaching career in DeKalb County as a third grade teacher at Terry Mill Elementary School. She then came to Atlanta Public Schools (APS) in1997. Her APS career began at Mary Lin Elementary School as a first grade instructor.

Wilson taught first grade for three years while also obtaining her Master’s Degree in Administration and Supervision. She then became a Core Knowledge facilitator at Lin before moving to Inman Elementary and later becoming Assistant Principal at Garden Hills. Though Wilson served as the Interim Principal at Hope Elementary School last year, she said she was thrilled to be able to return to Garden Hills as its principal.

When not tending to the children at Garden Hills, Wilson has her own two children, an eight-year-old daughter and a 10-year old son. The family likes to spend time outdoors and playing sports.