About Us
School Profile
Mission and Vision
Mission
We will provide an optimistic environment where students are nurtured and engaged in meaningful, challenging work that will prepare them for an ever changing world.
Vision
- Nurturing and safe environment
- Engaging students through technology and a variety of academic experience
- Working on meaningful and challenging work
- High expectations for all stakeholders
- Optimistic climate
- Preparing students for a global society
- Esteemed in the community
Beliefs
- We believe that when students are provided a safe, clean, and nurturing environment, they will learn and experience academic success.
- We believe learning stems from a mutual respect between colleagues, faculty and staff, teachers and students, and school and community.
- We believe engaging work provides students with a deeper understanding, mastery, and ability to transfer skills to everyday experiences.
- We believe state standards, student needs, and learning styles are embedded in the design of engaging lessons.
- We believe that teachers plan collaboratively to design and to present engaging standards-based instruction using a variety of strategies and models.
- We believe technological resources are utilized as a tool to support the curriculum in order to promote student success in a technologically driven society.
Meet Our Principals
Sharene Ledford
706-673-3180
Sharene.Ledford@wcsga.ne
Jennifer Thurman
706-673-3180
Jennifer.Thurman@wcsga.net
Dear Grizzlies,
I am excited to be serving the students, staff, and families of New Hope Elementary School as your principal and former Grizzly! My educational journey began as a kindergarten teacher here at New Hope when the school opened in 2000. I spent 6 years teaching kindergarten at New Hope, and 13 years at Beaverdale Elementary teaching kindergarten, first grade, and second grade.
Prior to my years at New Hope, I have served as an Instructional Coach at Cedar Ridge Elementary, and an assistant principal at Cohutta Elementary and Cedar Ridge Elementary. As a former graduate of Whitfield County Schools, I am honored to continue my journey serving New Hope. I attended Dug Gap Elementary, Valley Point Middle, and graduated from Southeast High School. I attended the University of West Georgia where I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I received a Specialist Degree in Leadership and Administration from Lincoln Memorial University in 2006. When not serving at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, walking, exercising, laughing and having fun!
I have been married to my husband, Shawn, for 25+ years and I am a proud boy mom of Carter and Will. I am blessed to be back as a Grizzly and serve the families and community of New Hope Elementary. I look forward to working together as ONE team, ONE school, ONE family.
Sharene Ledford, Principal
Dear Grizzlies,
It is my pleasure to introduce myself as your Assistant Principal. I am honored and thrilled to be part of the New Hope Elementary staff and serve a school with a reputation for excellence. I have served a variety of roles in my 20+ years with Whitfield County Schools. I began my educational career working in elementary, as a teacher and then as a literacy coach. I spent six years at New Hope Middle School as their instructional coach. Prior to coming to New Hope, I was the assistant principal at Varnell Elementary. I am excited to rejoin Bruin Nation as a Grizzly and promise to work and serve to the best of my ability. Not only am I a proud educator of Whitfield County Schools, but I am also a proud alumni, having attended Cohutta Elementary, North Whitfield Middle, and Northwest Whitfield High School as a student.
I continued my education and earned my Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from West Georgia College, my Masters in Early Childhood Education from Berry College, and my Specialist in Teaching and Learning from Liberty University. I completed my Leadership certification from Kennesaw State University.
When I am not teaching, I love learning new things, reading books, playing pickleball, going for walks, and most importantly spending time with my family. My husband, Kelvin, and I have two daughters, Rachel and Nicole. Rachel is married to Bryce, and she proudly works for Whitfield County Schools as a first-grade teacher. Nicole loves to travel when she is not working. She is involved in overseas and local mission work. I look forward to meeting and working with the New Hope community this next school year.
Jennifer Thurman, Assistant Principal