Dr. Sheila Kahrs, principal of Haymon-Morris Middle School, is one of the three finalist for the 2009 Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year.

Dr. Kahrs has been in school administration in Barrow County for the last 11 years and has been in education for more than 20 years.

A strong proponent of a vision that middle schools can foster true excellence with teachers who understand the very intricate needs of young adolescents and believe that all students can succeed, Dr. Kahrs was nominated by her faculty and staff.

Also named as finalists are Chris LeMieux, principal of Pickens County Middle School in Jasper; and Richard Rentz, principal of Glynn Middle School in Brunswick.

LeMieux has been at the helm of Pickens County Middle School since 2001. He has been in educational leadership since 1998.

At Pickens, he has encouraged the faculty and staff to work toward a common goal of having all students earns a high school diploma.

Rentz is in his ninth year as a principal in the Glynn County School district. He is currently at Glynn Middle School. Mr. Rentz has over nineteen years experience as a principal, having served in north and south Georgia. He has distinguished himself as a leader in his community by impressing on the stakeholders that a school is far more than just a building and must respond to many needs of its students.

The Principal of the Year recognition program is sponsored by MetLife and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

The Georgia Principal of the Year will represent Georgia in the national competition for principal of the year. The national program recognizes principals that excel in educational leadership, resolving complex problems, developing self and others, and community service.

School administrators across Georgia share grade pride in the accomplishments of the three finalists for Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year.

GAMSP Executive Director Don Splinter and NASSP Executive Director Gerald Tirozzi also offer their commendation to the 2009 Georgia Middle School Principal of the Year finalists.

Dr. Kahrs has been told the announcement will be made in the coming weeks.

Her husband, Dr. Jim Kahrs, was honored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 2001.