Dear Sutton Community, 

With great enthusiasm and pride, I write this letter to you as the proud Principal of Willis A. Sutton Middle School. I am honored to lead a community focused on keeping its legacy of student achievement, emphasizing the importance of personal and civic responsibility, and delivering a rigorous, engaging academic program. I realize the responsibility to empower, inspire, and influence students, families, and staff members. It is my personal belief that all students deserve a challenging, world-class education that will prepare them for success in college and beyond.

I bring a plethora of experience with me, both educationally and professionally. My educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in Political Theory from Morehouse College, a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Columbus State University, an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Valdosta State University, and a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Throughout my educational career, I have had the pleasure of serving in various instructional leadership roles where I have had the opportunity to impact student achievement at high levels. My career started in education as an English Language Arts Special Education teacher in Fulton County Schools. After serving in this role, I became an English Language Arts General Education teacher and an AVID model teacher while also serving as Department Chair of the English Language Arts Department. Following this, I had the pleasure of serving as an Instructional Coach with a direct focus on literacy for all content areas. In this role, I was able to restructure PLCs, deliver model lessons for teachers, and bring personalized learning practices into classrooms to support students' individual learning differences. Most recently, I have had the pleasure of serving as an Assistant Principal here at Willis A. Sutton Middle School from 2018-2022. On July 29th, 2022, Atlanta Public Schools announced my selection as Sutton's next principal. 

With these experiences and accomplishments, I am eager to continue to serve this distinguished community. Renowned Civil Rights Activist Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., shared with the world that "the function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character ... that is the goal of true education." With education serving as an instrument to change the world, it is my goal to deliver the promise of that change directly into the hands and minds of the Willis A. Sutton Middle School student body.

I am excited to work alongside faculty, students, and families as we prepare our students to make a positive and lasting impact in our world. I am looking forward to an incredible school year. 

In partnership,

Dr. Dominique R. Merriweather

Principal

Amanda Fielder is a native of Michigan who moved to Atlanta after college. She obtained Bachelors of Arts degrees in History and English from Western Michigan University, a Master of Arts degree in Instruction from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Arts degree in American History from Ashland University. Over the course of her career, Amanda has taught Language Arts and Social Studies at each of the three middle school grade levels; she taught Georgia Studies, a course she loves with all of her heart, for a decade. Amanda has also served as Sutton's Athletic Director, Individuals and Societies (Social Studies) Department Chair, gifted contact, and as a founding member of Sutton's GO Team. Taking advantage of all the cultural and entertainment events Atlanta has to offer, you might find her at professional or college sporting events, concerts, or stage performances. As someone who loves to travel, it's not uncommon to run into her at Hartsfield-Jackson! Follow Amanda on Twitter @smsfielder!

Mr. Timothy Robinson is a proud native of Atlanta and boasts his years as a student in APS.  His early years he attended A. F. Herndon Elementary, English Avenue, John F. Kennedy Middle school, and graduated from The Booker T. Washington High School.  After graduating, he attended and received his Bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University.  He later received his Master’s degree from Central Michigan University and continued with addition course work from the University of West Georgia.  Mr. Robinson completed his student teaching here at Sutton where he also received his first teaching job.  Mr. Robinson taught science, social studies, and reading for six years.  In addition to teaching, he has served as a coach, athletic director and now serves as the 7^th grade Assistant Principal.  In his spare time, you may catch Mr. Robinson cooking special meals for his family, reading a good mystery book, or fishing in a local stream.

IB Learner Profile Attribute:  Reflective

IB Learner Profile Attribute Striving towards: Balanced

Fannie Phillips-Bennett was born here in Atlanta, Georgia and is considered to be a “rare, but true Georgia Peach.”  Before beginning her career 19 years ago, she attended Clayton State University and received a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Biology. In 2006, she completed a Masters in Instructional Education at Central Michigan University.  In 2007, she completed a Specialist degree program in Educational Leadership at Lincoln Memorial University. Ms. Bennett has served in various positions in education such as Science Department Chair, Science Instructional Coach, Assistant Site Coordinator of PowerUp, curriculum writer, District Core Content Instructional Specialist, and Lead-Based Campus Mentor. During her free time, she enjoys hiking, spending time with her son and daughter (Gregory and Samayyah), hanging out with family and friends, and TRAVELING! 

Ms. Bennett’s educational philosophy is that ALL students have the ability to learn and are entitled to the best education one could possibly receive.  In her role as Assistant Principal, she set out to ensure that this happens for every student at Sutton Middle School. More specifically, she looks forward to carrying out the vision of the school. Ms. Bennett is wholeheartedly committed to doing this on a daily basis!

IB Learner Attributes: Inquirer & Knowledgeable

Ms. Henderson is a native of Evans, Georgia and moved to Atlanta to attend college at Georgia State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Childhood Education. She also holds a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Central Michigan University, and a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. Ms. Henderson has been in education for 17 years and has proudly served in Atlanta Public Schools for the past 9 years teaching at Sutton Middle School. Throughout her career, she has taught Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies. She has served in many leadership roles within her local school and district including Gifted Lead, Grade Level Chair, ELA Department Chair, Social Studies Ambassador, APS Teacher Recruitment Ambassador, and Lead Campus Based Mentor. Her passion and love for education and service was instilled in her by her parents. Ms. Henderson strives to inspire students to always do more, become more, and to make a positive impact in their community and personal lives. She enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues to maximize learning opportunities for the students and families that she serves. Ms. Henderson is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., enjoys working out and living a healthy lifestyle, and spending time with her family. 

Follow Ms. Henderson on Twitter @fhenderson1908

IB Learner Profile Attribute: Caring

IB Learner Profile Attribute striving towards: Balanced

Israel Vance is a native of North Carolina and moved to Atlanta after living in Texas and Washington State. He holds Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Washington, a Master of Arts degree from Wake Forest University, and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University. Israel started his teaching career as a math teacher and quickly found a passion for working with students with varied educational and linguistic backgrounds. He has served on Sutton’s GO Team, as ESOL Lead Teacher, and has worked diligently since 2020 to establish a thriving DLI program at Sutton Middle School. He has a passion for soccer and has cheered on Atlanta United since attending their inaugural home match.

Mr. Vance’s IB Learner Profile attribute is: Reflective

The IB Learner Profile attribute he is striving towards is: Risk-taker