The Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals surprised Collins Hill High Principal Kerensa Wing with the news that she’s been named the 2019 Georgia Principal of the Year.

The be named “Principal of the Year,”one must

excel in educational leadership, resolving complex problems, developing self and others and community service.

Speaking to her staff and peers who filled the school theater to be in on the announcement, Wing expressed her surprise and her appreciation, according to a press release.

She thanked her parents and her husband for their support and Gwinnett County Public Schools and

her cluster principals for the work they do together for students.

“This award is representative of the work you have done. In the application, I had to talk about all of the data… but it is your work. I appreciate each and every one of you and the time and effort you put into our students.”

Wing, who was one of six finalists for the state honor, now will represent Georgia for the National Association of Secondary School Principals Principal of the Year title.

Wing will meet the other state principals of the year at a gala in Washington, D.C.

This is Wing’s 29th anniversary of serving Gwinnett children. She first joined the school district in 1990 to teach social studies at Shiloh High School and Collins Hill High School.

In 2002, she became an assistant principal at Collins Hill, a position she held until she was named as the first principal of Lanier High School in 2010. In February of 2014, she had a homecoming of sorts as she returned to Collins Hill High School as its principal.