Shannon Miller is looking forward to a smooth, pro-active transition as she moves into her new role as superintendent of Fannin County schools.
Miller received the unanimous support of school board members during a special called meeting Wednesday, September 7.
The board indicated their desire to hire a new superintendent from within the local school system soon after Dr. Michael Gwatney announced his intention to retire from the position he has held for five and a half years.
School board Chairman Terry Bramlett praised all the candidates who applied for the position, saying the selection process proved Fannin County has “some of the most capable leaders to be found anywhere.”
Miller previously served as principal of Blue Ridge Elementary and is currently director of Student Services for the system. She is a graduate of Fannin County High School and the University of Georgia.
Now, she will work closely with Gwatney in what they agree is a “team transition.”
Gwatney, with the full support of the school board, has agreed to stay on until everyone is comfortable with the transition.
One of the first steps Miller must take is to fill her role as Student Services director.
As she begins this process, Miller says she will look at the “whole team to compensate for what (Gwatney) brings to the table.”
Gwatney agrees, emphasizing a team transition that matches duties with strengths is in everyone’s best interest.
Miller sees success relying on the people involved, and “these people want the district to be successful,” she says of the schools’ leadership.
She praised Gwatney for leaving “A foundation you can catapult from...This will facilitate being pro-active.”
Miller’s heart obviously lies with Fannin County’s students. “The biggest payoff I’ve ever had” came at last year’s Fannin County High School (FCHS) graduation, she said. When she began her role at Blue Ridge Elementary School, the 2022 FCHS graduates were in kindergarten. She watched them grow all the way through elementary school. To see them receive their high school diplomas showed, “There’s something magical about our schools,” she said.
“My passion, my duty and responsibility, is to give every student who walks through the doors of our schools the opportunity to succeed,” Miller said.
She is quick to point to the role all educators play in that process by looking back on her own experiences. “Every door, every step of the way has been by the grace of God and opened by educators,” she said.