About Us
About Our School
Vision, Mission & Beliefs
We Believe...
- Learning requires a safe, non-threatening, respectful and inviting environment.
- Meaningful learning occurs trough experiences and engaging work designed by teacher leaders who embrace the belief that students volunteer their attention and commitment.
- Teachers, students, parents, and the community share the responsibility of student success.
- Effective teaching only occurs when learning takes place and students learn when they are actively engaged.
- Relationships, mutual respect, positive attitudes and self-concepts are all essential to effective teaching and learning.
Our Mission
- Our mission is to engage every student, every day in experiences that result in profound learning.
Our Vision
- We envision a school that is focused on fostering relationships and designing experiences that engage students and teachers in profound learning with the support and involvement of parents and the community.
Meet our Principals
Contact:
(706) 259-3381
larry.farner@wcsga.net
Larry Farner, Principal
Hello Pioneers!
This will be my eighth year as principal at North Whitfield, and I am proud to say I have been a Pioneer for most of my life. Growing up in our community, I attended North Whitfield as a middle school student. I have so many wonderful memories from my time here, and I learned invaluable lessons from my teachers. My hope is that our current Pioneers are building the same great experiences and memories I did when I was their age!
In addition to being a Pioneer, I graduated from Northwest Whitfield High School and began college at North Georgia College in Dahlonega. After two years, I transferred to the University of Georgia, where I earned a degree in social science education. My teaching career began at Carson Middle School in Greensboro, GA, but soon I moved back to my hometown. I was fortunate to secure a teaching position at Westside Middle School, where I primarily taught social studies and math. During my time at Westside, I earned my master’s and specialist degrees in educational leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.
In 2010, I became an assistant principal at North Whitfield and served for two years before moving to Southeast Whitfield High School as an assistant principal for three years. Prior to becoming the principal at North Whitfield, I served as the principal at Cohutta Elementary for two years. This year marks my 25th year as an educator, and I am as passionate as ever about making a difference in the lives of our students.
My wife, Jennifer, and I have four children: Jackson (21), Brandilyn (17), Halle (12), and Sydney (10). As a family, we love spending time outdoors swimming, camping, fishing, or playing basketball. We are also devoted fans of our Pioneers, Colts, and DAWGS!
Contact:
(706) 259-3381
lisa.gray@wcsga.net
Lisa Gray, Assistant Principal
Contact:
(706) 259-3381
kathleen.gamble@wcsga.net
Kathleen Gamble, Assistant Principal
I have been serving students in Whitfield County Schools since 1998, beginning at North Whitfield Middle School. I have spent all of my WCS career in the middle grades. Shortly after joining North Whitfield Middle in 1998, I completed a Master in Education degree and then obtained my Education Specialist degree in 2005 -- both in education leadership. In 2006, I, along with several others, made the move to New Hope Middle School for its opening year. In 2009, I transferred to Westside Middle to begin a new adventure in teaching 8th grade accelerated ELA and Georgia history to students in gender-based classrooms. In 2014, I moved into a new role as instructional coach. In the fall of 2020, I was an assistant principal at Eastbrook Middle until moving back to North Whitfield in 2022. I am so happy and proud to be back in Pioneer country!
My husband David and I enjoy taking weekend road trips, watching classic movies and football, and visiting our grandchildren. Knowing that I am in DAWG country, I am not afraid to say that I am a very proud fan of the VOLS! You may see me sporting orange on a few Fridays during football season.