Angela Burns, a veteran JCPS educator with 23 years of experience, has been named the new principal of Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary School.
Burns brings a deep connection to the school, having served 12 years at Greathouse as both a teacher and assistant principal before leading Chenoweth Elementary as principal for the past four years.
"I am excited and deeply honored to return to Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary as principal,” Burns said. “I look forward to serving the Greathouse community and working collaboratively to uphold and honor the school’s longstanding tradition of excellence.”
Burns joined JCPS in 2004 and has also worked as a teacher at Wheatley, Blue Lick and Greathouse/Shryock elementary schools in addition to her administrative experience.
Throughout her career, Burns has prioritized equity, instructional excellence and a strong school climate, said Lisa Wathen, regional assistant superintendent for elementary region 1.
"What makes Mrs. Burns such an exceptional fit for Greathouse is her deep respect for its rich tradition of excellence and established culture," Wathen said. “She knows the school from the inside out. This unique history enables her to seamlessly build upon that strong foundation, advancing the school’s vision to empower students to achieve excellence, lead with integrity and build character.”
Burns holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Learning and Behavior Disorders from Bellarmine University, a Master of Arts in Education, Reading and Writing Specialists from the University of the Cumberlands, and a Rank 1 Principal Certification from Spalding University. She also participated in the 2022 Jefferson County Leadership Academy (JCLA) Equity Leadership Cadre.
To ensure a smooth start to the school year across both campuses, Burns will transition in phases, remaining at Chenoweth through the start of the year while a new leader is selected. Retired administrator Michael Alexander will partner with Greathouse/Shryock’s Assistant Principal Mike Ice during the interim period.
“I believe that strong family-school relationships are the cornerstone of student success,” Burns said “I can’t wait to partner with students, staff, and families as we continue building a legacy of academics, character, and leadership.”