The Dougherty County Board of Education approved Superintendent Kenneth Dyer’s recommendation to install six new principals at schools across the district at its meeting Wednesday.

Those hired were:

• Dr. Shawn Davidson

• Ronald Gadson

• LaVenice Grace

• Dr. Lynn Janes

• Dr. Trina Muse

• Shanekia Williams

The newly-minted principals were selected after extensive interviews were conducted. They’ll take their positions at their schools on July 1.

“This is a strong group of leaders,” Dyer said. “While their educational backgrounds and specialties may differ, they each have proven themselves to be highly-effective leaders who are focused on student achievement within their various schools. I’m confident that they’ll continue to build on the work they’ve started and will do great things alongside our teachers, staff and students in their respective schools.”

Dr. Davidson will serve at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School; Gadson will serve at Radium Springs Middle School; Grace will serve at Turner Elementary School; Dr. Janes will serve at International Studies Elementary Charter School; Dr. Muse will serve at Lake Park Elementary School; and Williams will serve at Live Oak Elementary School.

Dr. Davidson, who has been serving as assistant principal at Lincoln, has a broad range of experience having had worked in various capacities within the educational arena -- from teacher to principal -- in Dekalb and Henry counties before coming to Albany.

Gadson brings 25 years of experience with him as he takes over at Radium Springs Middle School. Known for his knack for motivating both staff and students to rise to their full potential, Gadson comes into his new role after having served as assistant principal at the South Georgia Regional Achievement Center.

Called a ‘Godsend’ by his current principal, Grace has experience working as a teacher and leader in both the Dougherty and Lee County school districts and is excited to take his talents to Turner Elementary.

Dr. Janes, who has proven herself as a capable leader as the director of the district’s Curriculum and Instruction Department, will carry her talents into one of the district’s top-performing schools – International Studies Elementary Charter School -- after having served in a variety of roles in Houston, Bibb and Lee counties.

Dr. Muse will bring her expansive leadership experience to Lake Park Elementary, having come from serving most recently as principal at Lee County’s Kinchafoonee Primary School. With her career focused solely on early-childhood education, Muse has spent the last 20-plus years motivating and inspiring both her students and colleagues.

Williams, who was part of the leadership team that helped lift Radium Springs Elementary School off the state’s focus list and transform it into the school with the district’s largest gains in student growth, will take over at Live Oak Elementary. A former teacher of the year, Williams has mastered the craft of quality instruction and has used innovative approaches to boost student achievement.