Meet Our Principal, Dr. Blackwell...

 Dr. Blackwell’s professional career of 17 years has proudly occurred entirely in the Fulton County School system in a variety of teaching and leadership roles. After graduating from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Dr. Blackwell started his career in education as a high school English teacher at Alpharetta High School. He taught every grade level of student either in English courses at a variety of levels or in newspaper journalism courses.

 While teaching, Dr. Blackwell earned his Master of Arts in English Education from Georgia State University. Also, during his time teaching, Dr. Blackwell began his journey toward educational leadership by serving on the local school advisory council strategic planning committee and by supporting the new teacher induction and mentorship program. He earned his Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University. In 2011, Dr. Blackwell was hired as curriculum assistant principal at Riverwood International Charter School in Sandy Springs.

For the past seven years, Dr. Blackwell has been the principal at Ridgeview Charter Middle School in Sandy Springs. While serving as principal, Ridgeview has been recognized as an Association of Middle Level Education “School of Distinction” and a National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform’s “Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch.” Dr. Blackwell has twice been recognized with the Georgia Association of Middle School Principal’s “Effective Middle School Program” award. During his time as principal, Dr. Blackwell earned his Doctorate in School Improvement from the University of West Georgia and studied the impact that professional learning communities have on teacher professional development.

 In his outside of school life, Dr. Blackwell loves spending time with his 9-year-old daughter and his partner of 19 years. He’s an avid exerciser, a bit of a foodie, a lover of cars, and a person who prides himself in being someone others can depend upon. Dr. Blackwell believes education has the power to positively change the trajectory of students’ lives, and he leads from a foundation of relationships with students, faculty and staff, and family & community partners. The incredible work of the Centennial High School community is exciting and evident, and Dr. Blackwell is thrilled to join the Centennial team to create the best experience where their students “collaborate, think, learn, and create” to the highest levels.