July 5, 2023
Fulton County Schools would like to say "welcome" to our newly-hired principals and administrative staff. We also offer our "congratulations" to existing employees that move into these positions as well. We are proud to present our newest team members here and on our FCS Social Media.
Thomas Garrett
Principal, Ridgeview Charter Middle School
Thomas Garrett has twenty-five years of service in education which encompasses various roles in Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Gwinnett County Schools, and Fulton County Schools. Within Fulton County Schools, Mr. Garrett has been a teacher at Dunwoody Springs Elementary and Heards Ferry Elementary, a school counselor at Lake Forest Elementary, and the Curriculum Assistant Principal at Riverwood International High School. Mr. Garrett was named the 2013 Counselor of the Year for the district while at Lake Forest Elementary and was named the 2017 Assistant Principal of the Year while at Riverwood International Charter School. For the past six years, Mr. Garrett has been the principal at Hapeville Elementary in Hapeville, Georgia. While serving as principal, Hapeville was recognized as a school for “Beating the Odds.”
Mr. Garrett graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Education with a concentration in middle school Language Arts (6-8) and a minor in History (6-12). He achieved a Master of Education in Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene in Nashville, Tennessee, a Master of Education in School Counseling from the University of West Alabama, and an Educational Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University. He also has endorsements in ESOL, gifted education, and early childhood education.
In his life outside of school, Mr. Garrett loves spending time with his three nephews and two nieces who live in Las Vegas, Nevada, San Diego, California, Duluth, Georgia, and Grayson, Georgia. Mr. Garrett, himself, lives in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Atlanta, GA, and in his spare time, enjoys traveling, eating new foods, listening to all types of music, cooking Latin and Italian foods, watching documentary cinema, and advocating for young adults.
Mr. Garrett leads from a foundation of relationships with students, educators, staff, family members, and community partners because he believes that education has the potential to alter the course of students' lives for the better. Mr. Garrett is happy to join the Ridgeview team to build the greatest environment where the children are "confident, creative, compassionate, and continuous learners" at the highest levels. The amazing work of the Ridgeview Charter Middle School is exciting and visible. Go Panthers!
Felipe Jackson
Principal, Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary School
Felipe Jackson is a veteran educator with over 20 years of experience. He started in education in 2000 and joined Fulton County Schools in 2013 as the principal of C.H. Gullatt Elementary School. Mr. Jackson has been leading at Bear Creek Middle School for the past five years.
Mr. Jackson is a native of Washington, D.C. After attending Morgan State University and University of Maryland, Mr. Jackson started his career in education as a middle school physical education teacher and fifth-grade math teacher. He continued his passion for learning and was part of the New Leaders for New Schools Cohort to earn his administration certification.
Mr. Felipe Jackson is a visionary leader who is committed to a culture of excellence. Mr. Jackson believes that education is the path that all students can take to better their lives and those around them. As our future leaders, students need to believe that someone will be there to guide them. He is excited to lead at Hamilton Holmes Elementary to support the mission and vision to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of all scholars by creating a safe haven and delivering rigorous instruction within the school environment.
Outside of leading at school, Mr. Jackson enjoys coaching sports and traveling.
Mr. Jackson is a servant leader who is focused on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. He strives daily to build strong relationships among students, staff, and stakeholders. Mr. Jackson is ready to become a “Royal Lion” and engage the students, the hardworking staff, and community stakeholders as the principal of Hamilton Holmes Elementary.