A veteran Gainesville educator will come out of retirement to serve as the new principal of New Holland Knowledge Academy for the 2019-2020 school year.
The Gainesville City School System announced Friday, April 12 that Bertha Shields will take over the reins at New Holland effective July 1. Shields will replace Pamela Wood, who is set to retire at the end of June.
Shields earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Communications from West Georgia College, Certification in Early Childhood Education from Brenau University and a Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College. In 2007, she received an Educational Specialist degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.
Shields is well known in the Gainesville School System. She served as Assistant Principal of Centennial Arts Academy for three years prior to her retirement in June 2018. She has served as an Assistant Principal and Gifted Coordinator at Gainesville Exploration Academy and K-5 ESOL/Talent Development Specialist at New Holland Knowledge Academy. She has also taught kindergarten and first grade at Enota MI Academy where she first began her teaching career as a paraprofessional.
"Gainesville City School System has been my home for years, and I have been afforded many opportunities throughout my career - one of which was being privileged to be part of the start-up team at New Holland and being there when the doors opened on the very first day," Shields said in a press statement. "I am thankful and look forward to coming home."
Dr. Jeremy Williams, Gainesville City School System Superintendent, said Shields will be a perfect fit for New Holland.
"Beginning as a paraprofessional for us years ago and now becoming a principal, Mrs. Shields is a true testament of being a servant leader," Williams said.
The Gainesville City School Board must approve Shields' appointment before she takes the position.
