Faculty - Administration Biographies
Dr. Sidney Baker - Principal
Dr. Baker has a long and accomplished career in elementary education. He received his bachelors in Education from Troy University, his Masters in Education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and his Doctorate of Education from the University of Alabama. He began his teaching career in Pinson, Alabama and then spent 16 years teaching, serving as Assistant Principal, and Principal in the Cobb County School System. Prior to coming to Sarah Smith Elementary School, Dr. Baker was the principal at Compton Elementary School in Powder Springs. While at Sarah Smith, Dr. Baker has been honored numerous times, including the state of Georgia’s High Performing Principal Award in 2006, 2007, and 2008 and the Atlanta Families’ Excellence in Education Award winner in 2007. Dr. Baker oversaw the implementation of the IB Primary Years Program at Sarah Smith and his leadership in this movement has been recognized with invitations to present at the International Baccalaureate Americas Conference in 2007 and 2009 as well as the 2009 International Baccalaureate World Conference in 2009. Dr. Baker will go anywhere and talk to anyone about the wonderful things happening at Sarah Smith.
Dr. Freda Hamilton - Assistant Principal
Dr. Freda Hamilton is the product of Georgia Public Schools in Chickamauga. She attended Shorter College in Rome, GA and received her Bachelor degree from Kennesaw State University. She then received her Master’s Degree in Education from West Georgia University. In 2003, Dr. Hamilton received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Hamilton has spent 21 years in elementary education. For 16 years, she worked as both a teacher and administrator in three different Cobb County Schools. She has been at Sarah Smith Elementary for five years. She has worked with Dr. Baker at three of the four schools she has served!
Tommy Usher - Program Administrator
Mr. Usher serves as the Program Administrator at the Primary Campus. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Clark Atlanta University and his Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Development from Central Michigan University. Prior to coming to Sarah Smith, Mr. Usher spent nine years at Grove Park Elementary School in Atlanta. He served that school as teacher, C0-Nect School facilitator, and Instructional Specialist. He has been at Sarah Smith since 2007. In addition to his work at school, Mr. Usher is also a sought after presenter and trainer on topics related to elementary education, curriculum design, and effective team management.
Jessica Harron - Assistant Principal
Jessica Harron serves as the Assistant Principal at the Primary Campus. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia Southern University and earned her Masters of Education degree in Middle Grades Education from the University of Georgia. Mrs. Harron also received her Specialist degree in Early Childhood Education from Brenau University and her Leadership Certification from Georgia State University. Mrs. Harron worked in the Glynn County and Gwinnett County Public School Systems prior to coming to Sarah Smith in 2001. She has served as a classroom teacher, Curriculum Facilitator, Student Support Team Chair, and Instructional Coach. Mrs. Harron is also a mother of three, with her oldest attending kindergarten at Sarah Smith.