New principals named at JCMS and JCHS
Washington, Kirkland to serve middle, high schools for 2007-08
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Nicole Washington, left, has been named Jenkins County Middle School principal, and Dr. Joseph Kirkland will serve as Jenkins County High School principal.(Staff photos by Deborah Bennett)

Jenkins County Middle School (JCMS) will see a change in its administrative head, and the interim principal at Jenkins County High School (JCHS) will assume the role of principal for the 2007-2008 school term.

Nicole Washington has been named principal at JCMS, and Dr. Joseph Kirkland, who has served as principal for both schools since January 2007, will assume the role of principal at JCHS.

Ms. Washington has served 10 years in the field of education, the last three with the Jenkins County school system as assistant principal at JCMS. Prior to that she was employed as a middle school teacher at other school systems.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Education from Georgia Southern University and master of education and specialist of education degrees in Administration and Supervision from Georgia College and State University. She is currently working toward a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership.

On assuming the role of principal at JCMS, Washington commented, "I know there will be some challenges, but I am very excited about it. We have a dedicated staff at JCMS, and I just can't say enough about them. I also love middle school kids. They are always changing. We have some great kids here."

Washington stressed the importance of maintaining professionalism and getting parents more involved in the education process.

She is also planning a wedding in the near future with fiancé Wayne Moulton, a U.S. Army retiree. The couple plans to reside in Hephzibah.

Dr. Kirkland began his tenure with the local school system in 1997 as assistant principal at JCMS and girls' basketball coach. He was named principal at JCMS in 2004 and retired from coaching to assume the position.

He is a 1982 graduate of Lyons Sr. High School and holds a doctorate of education and education specialist degrees in Educational Leadership from Argosy University, a master of education in Educational Leadership and bachelor of science in Education, Health and Physical Education from Georgia Southern University, middle grades certification from Georgia College and associate of science in Education, Health and Physical Education from East Georgia Junior College.

Prior to coming to Jenkins County, Dr. Kirkland was employed by the Bryan County Middle/Elementary School as a physical education teacher for grades 3-8. He has also worked in the school systems of Glascock County and Washington Park Elementary School, Monticello.

He serves as system coordinator of the Jenkins County Professional Association of Georgia Educators and District I representative for the organization's Legislative Task Force. The girls' basketball team, under Dr. Kirkland's leadership, was state runner-up in 2003 with a 27-1 record.

"I am very excited about the three initiatives which are in place for the coming school year at JCHS - 9th Grade Academy, the JROTC program and Eagle Academy, which is an academic alternative school," Dr. Kirkland commented.

Dr. Kirkland and wife, Lisa, counselor at Jenkins County Elementary School, have three children, Brian, Tyler and Kayla. The family resides in Millen.