Mrs. Tanita McDowell Named ECCSS Continuous School Improvement Specialist
Mrs. Tanita McDowell has worked in education for 22 years, first serving as an elementary and reading classroom teacher before serving in assistant and principal roles in Bulloch County. Mrs. McDowell has been in Evans County since 2019, first serving as Assistant Principal at Claxton Middle School (CMS) for two years and serving as the Principal of CMS for the past three years.
Mrs. McDowell holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southern University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University, and an Educational Specialist in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. Mrs. McDowell is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Georgia Southern University.
Dr. Kristy Vandenberg, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services, stated, “Mrs. McDowell has extensive experience as a Title I Principal and Assistant Principal, and as Continuous School Improvement Specialist, she will be able to share her knowledge and expertise with all of our school principals regarding instructional best practices. This position will provide additional support for schools during the Comprehensive School Improvement (CSI) partnership with the state department of education.”
Mrs. Angie Snyder Named Claxton Middle School Principal
Mrs. Angie Snyder has worked in education for 21 years, all served in ECCSS. Mrs. Snyder served as a classroom teacher at Claxton Elementary School (CES) before moving into an Instructional Coach role at CES where she was able to work closely with teachers and students to improve all aspects of teaching and learning. After several years as an Instructional Coach, Mrs. Snyder became an Assistant Principal at Claxton High School (CHS) in the spring of 2019.
Mrs. Snyder completed her student teaching in 2002 at Claxton Middle School. Following graduation from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Education, Mrs. Snyder obtained her Master's degree from Walden University with a focus on K-8 Mathematics Education. Mrs. Snyder obtained her Leadership Degree from Valdosta State University.
Dr. Marty Waters, Superintendent of ECCSS, stated, “Throughout her tenure in ECCSS, Mrs. Snyder has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, coaching, and relationship-building skills, and we believe Mrs. Snyder will foster a thriving learning environment for students, staff, and parents.”
Mrs. Fran Tanner Named Worked Based Learning Coordinator / CCA
Mrs. Fran Tanner has worked in education for 33 years, first serving as a classroom teacher in Bryan County before returning home to Claxton to teach. Mrs. Tanner served as a classroom teacher at Claxton Middle School (CMS) before moving into an Instructional Coach role at CMS where she was able to work closely with staff and students to enhance every facet of the educational process at CMS. After serving for seven years as an Instructional Coach, Mrs. Tanner was named Assistant Principal at CMS in 2021.
Mrs. Tanner holds a Specialist in Education degree in Teacher Leadership from Valdosta State University, a Masters in Education degree in Middle Grades Education from Georgia Southern University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Georgia Southern University. Mrs. Tanner holds Tier I Educational Leadership certification.
Chief Executive Officer and CTAE Director of the Evans Region College and Career Academy (CCA), Mrs. Holly Durrence, stated, "I am pleased to have Mrs. Tanner join the Evans Region CCA team as Work-Based Learning Coordinator. Her experience in both instruction and leadership will prove invaluable to our work to prepare students for success after high school."
Mrs. Amy Holland Named Claxton High School Assistant Principal
Mrs. Amy Holland has worked in education for 24 years, first serving as a high school classroom teacher in Liberty, Bulloch, and Candler counties. During her 16 years in Candler County, Mrs. Holland served as the Science Lead Learner for 10 years and was chosen as Teacher of the Year twice at Metter High School. Mrs. Holland joined Claxton High School (CHS) to teach science in 2023.
Mrs. Holland received her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Georgia Southern University in 2020. In 2023 she completed the Tier 1 Educational Leadership Certificate program at Georgia Southern. Mrs. Holland has been an active member of ECCSS’s Aspiring Leaders Program, a district initiative designed to cultivate and build internal leadership capacity in the ECCSS.
Dr. Paul Mizell, Principal at CHS, stated, “We are very excited to have Mrs. Holland join our administrative team. Mrs. Holland's background in successfully supporting teacher teams and her efforts to develop her leadership capacity will be will be assets to CHS.”