Suwanee Educator Named National Principal Of The Year

SUWANEE, GA — Kerensa Wing, the principal of Collins Hill High School, has been named the 2020 National Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Gwinnett County Public Schools announced Monday.

Wing was honored with a surprise ceremony Monday afternoon at the Suwanee school, where she was congratulated by her family, staff and students, according to a statement from the school system.

Also in attendance were members of the Gwinnett County Board of Education, schools CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks, State School Superintendent Richard Woods and other representatives from the Georgia Department of Education, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce staff, elected officials, representatives of county and state government, other Gwinnett principals, business and community leaders, and representatives from the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals.

“Kerensa has made a profound and deliberate impact on her students, teachers, and administrators by creating an environment responsive to her school and community’s specific needs, while also allowing for innovation and entrepreneurship to ensure academic success and well-being,” said JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of the national principals' group, in the statement.

In naming her as this year’s recipient, officials with the national association cited Wing's efforts "to hire, train and retain high-quality teachers who are student-focused and reflect the student population," the statement added.

30 Years With Gwinnett Schools

Wing first joined the school district in 1990 to teach social studies, serving at Collins Hill and Shiloh high schools, according to the Gwinnet County Public Schools.

In 2002, she became an assistant principal at Collins Hill, a position she held until she was named in 2010 as the first principal of Lanier High School. In February 2014, she returned to Collins Hill as its principal.

Wing earned her bachelor’s degree in history and education from Oglethorpe University in Brookhaven. She went on to earn a master’s degree in social studies from Georgia State University and a specialist’s degree in educational leadership from Lincoln Memorial University, in Harrogate, Tennessee.

Based in Reston, Virginia, the National Association of Secondary School Principals represents educational administrators across the U.S. and in more than 45 other countries around the world.