Gwinnett Daily Post

SNELLVILLE -- A local middle school will soon have a new principal, following the board of education's unanimous vote to tap a longtime teacher and administrator for the leadership spot.

The school board approved the appointment of Katise Menchan as principal of Snellville Middle School this week during its monthly meeting. Menchan will take the place of Eric Thigpen, who recently took on the role of principal at South Gwinnett High School.

A graduate of Gwinnett's 2012 Aspiring Principal Program, one of the leadership development initiatives with the district's Quality-Plus Leader Academy, Menchan has served as assistant principal with Hull Middle since 2007. Prior to that, she was a special education teacher at Lilburn Middle.

She holds a bachelor's degree in behavioral science from National Louis University; certification in interrelated special education the University of Georgia; a master's degree in administration and supervision from University of Phoenix; and a specialist's degree in curriculum and instruction from Lincoln Memorial University.

Menchan will take the helm at Snellville Middle in coming weeks as she transitions from her current post Hull Middle.