Title: Principal
Company: Clayton County Public Schools
Location: Columbus, Georgia, United States
Michael Lanier Powell, PhD, principal of the Clayton County Public Schools, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in the field of academic administration.
With more than three decades of experience to his credit, Dr. Powell is a proven leader in the field of education. Well-versed in academic administration as well as teaching social studies, he currently serves as the principal for the Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) in Georgia. Having excelled in his leadership position since 2012, he oversees the elementary, middle and high schools, working alongside fellow educators and managing human resources to ensure his students have all they need to succeed. Furthermore, Dr. Powell coordinates secondary social studies programs for sixth through 12th graders.
Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Powell served his school district as a social studies teacher, having originally began his teaching endeavors in 1994. Additionally, he worked as a central office administrator for the CCPS for many years before taking on his role as the school principal. In his other previous work experiences, he also operated as a debate coach for seven years. Adjacent to his primary profession, Dr. Powell also maintains his dedication to civic advocacy, regularly volunteering with his local food bank, the Seventh-day Adventist Church and other charities.
Ever committed to his professional efforts, Dr. Powell remains affiliated with the Georgia Association of Educators. Before embarking on his vocational journey, he cultivated his own higher education, beginning his studies at Gordon State College, where he completed pertinent coursework in the field of education. He subsequently attended the University of West Georgia and earned a bachelor’s degree. In conclusion of his collegiate career, Dr. Powell ultimately achieved a PhD at Capella University.
To commemorate his achievements, Dr. Powell was previously named Principal of the Year, and he was honored as a Teacher of the Year on four occasions. In light of his fulfilling career, he has largely attributed his success to his dedication for creating the greatest learning environment possible for his students. Accounting for his accomplishments, he is most notably proud to have served as an inspiration to many of his students, as he strives to teach and encourage others every day. Looking to the future, Dr. Powell hopes to continue mentoring and serving students, parents, and his fellow educators.
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