Presentation at CES: Don Barbour, GYSTC board chair; Annette Perkins; Tracey Cleek; and Kylie Carroll, CES principal.

Awards presentation postponed because of pandemic

Carrollton Elementary School teachers Tracey Cleek and Annette Perkins and Carrollton Junior High teacher Ashley Soulsby,  named Georgia STEM Scholars by the Georgia Youth Science and Technology Centers, finally received formal acknowledgment of the honor this week when Don Barbour, GYSTC state board chairman, visited them in person to present custom blown-glass trophies designed just for them. 

Cleek, A 2021 designee, was recognized for her involvement in the Carrollton City Schools “STREAM” initiative, created through a partnership with the stream restoration environmental firm CS Britton Inc. Cleek and other teachers developed real-world learning experiences using Buffalo Creek that runs through campus as a classroom, teaching students about plants, wildlife, and the human impact on the natural environment. She also was instrumental in the formation of the school’s bird club and this work led to the installation of a Georgia Audubon bird garden earlier this month. 

Perkins, a 2020 award recipient, was recognized for her "Farm to Table" initiative that involved a partnership with the district's School Nutrition program. Students planted three gardens using internet resources to design, propagate and harvest leafy green vegetables that ultimately were served in the school cafeteria. The project taught various gardening methods, growth measurements, plant cultivation and journaling of the project’s progress and results.

Soulsby also was a 2020 award recipient. Her classroom lessons also involved stream conservation. In “Velocity Values,” her students measured speed, velocity and acceleration standards of the water flow in Buffalo Creek. They worked in groups to observe, collect and record data in two separate experiments, then compared results. Students used methods that involved multiple STEM disciplines that can be applied not only in water flow observation, but in other real-world applications as well.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, ceremonies when they would have been presented their gifts were canceled. Barbour has been visiting schools across the state to make the presentations in person. “We appreciate Mr. Barbour coming to campus to recognize the outstanding work of our teachers in being named Georgia STEM Scholars,” said Dr. Anna Clifton, assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning for Carrollton City Schools.

GYSTC is a private, not-for-profit educational organization designed to increase interest in and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as subjects for serious study for K-8 grade levels teachers and students. 

Presentation at CJHS: Ashley Soulsby with her class; Travis Thomaston, CJHS principal; and Don Barbour, GYSTC board chair. 

Brooks to retire after
32-year career in education

A Carrollton High School alum has been named his alma mater's next principal following unanimous approval by the Carrollton Board of Education Thursday night.

Ian Lyle, assistant principal at CHS and director of the school's CTAE program, will succeed CHS Principal David Brooks who is retiring this June following a 32-year career in education, 24 serving Carrollton High School.

Lyle has served in his current role since 2017 and quickly established himself as a natural leader, said Dr. Mark Albertus, superintendent, who made the recommendation to the board. 

“Mr. Lyle has great judgment and gets things done," said Albertus. "As someone who grew up in the district, he understands our culture because he's lived it. Thanks to Mr. Brooks taking the time to mentor him, Mr. Lyle will be able to pick right up and lead this school from day one.”

Lyle, a member of the CHS Class of 2003, completed a bachelor's degree in history education at the University of West Georgia where he continued his prep football career as a four-year collegiate letterman. He then earned a master's in curriculum and instruction at Georgia Southern University before returning to UWG to earn two more certifications, a specialist degree in leadership, and is now in the process of completing a doctoral program in school improvement.

Lyle's work experience prior to returning to Carrollton spanned the gamut, beginning with serving as a direct-care teacher at KidsPeace in Bowdon, teaching social studies at Mt. Zion Middle School, and first teaching for – then chairing –the special education department at Mt. Zion High School. He also coached a variety of sports, from baseball to boys and girls soccer to football and served as assistant athletic director at MZHS.

In addition to his day-to-day administrative duties at CHS, Lyle has further honed his leadership skills through the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy, the state Department of Education Career, Technical, Agricultural Education (CTAE) Director's Academy, and the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement’s Aspiring Leaders Program. Lyle also currently co-chairs the chamber’s Workforce Development Committee.

“To be selected to lead Carrollton High School is an incredible honor,” said Lyle.  “CHS is my home. While much has changed since I was a student, one thing hasn't – our commitment to excellence and what it means to set the gold standard. I am humbled – but grateful – Dr. Albertus and the board have confidence in me and for giving me this opportunity to serve the school system that has given so much to me.”

Lyle is married to CHS classmate and high school sweetheart, the former Brandi Nunis, who is a special education teacher at Carrollton Elementary School. They have a daughter, Charlie, in second grade, and son Reid, a kindergartner. Both attend CES. The family resides in Carrollton and attends Southern Hills: The Church at City Station.