Dr. Payne is
a product of the Houston County school system working his way through Parkwood
Elementary, Northside Junior High, and Northside High School. He is
entering his 22nd year as an educator and is happy to be working in the best
school system in the state of Georgia. He graduated in 1999 from Mercer
University with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, completed a
Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Mercer University in 2007, and
completed his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Mercer University in
2016. When he is not working, Dr. Payne loves to spend time with his
beautiful wife Heather and his wonderful children Mia and Lucas. He also loves
to watch and support his Miami Hurricanes, Atlanta Braves, and Atlanta Falcons.
Dr. Payne believes the ultimate goal for
every student is to graduate high school, and he understands that a student’s
path to graduation starts in elementary school. He believes every student
has the ability to grow as learners, and he is going to do everything he can to
help ALL of our students live our mission statement to “Build a Community of
Responsible, Life-Long Learners.” Dr. Payne is excited to be in Bulldog
Country, and as he always says…It’s GREAT to be a Perdue Elementary Bulldog!!!
Tiana Johnson, Assistant Principal of Instruction
Tiana Johnson was born and raised in the big city of Fort Valley,
Georgia. She graduated in 1998 from Peach County High School. After high
school, she attended THE Fort Valley State University and received her
bachelor’s degree in Business in 2003. After working in the insurance
field for several years, Mrs. Johnson decided to pursue a career in
education. She enrolled in Wesleyan’s GATAPP program where she earned a
Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Upon completion, she began her
career as an elementary teacher in Bibb County while earning a Specialist
Degree in Teacher Leadership from Walden University. Ms. Johnson went on to
teach Houston County for the next 12 years before becoming an Assistant
Principal at Perdue Elementary.
Mrs. Johnson and her husband has five
children, four are products of the Houston County School District; Paige is a
Nurse, Destine is an Insurance Agent, Bryson is a freshman in college, Brayden
is a student at Houston County High School, and Gabrielle is a 5th grader.
She also has one grandson, Gavin, who is a student in Peach County.
In her spare time, Mrs. Johnson loves to
travel, spend time with family and craft.
Kolenda McDavis, Assistant Principal of Discipline
Mrs. McDavis comes to us from Parkwood Elementary School where she has been their behavior coach for the past couple of years. This is a position that some schools have in addition to their APD so she has worked with teachers, parents, and students with behavior. She has also taught 3rd – 5th grades in Bibb County, Tucker Elementary School, and Northside Elementary School.
Mrs. McDavis is a graduate of Northside Highschool (2000). She earned her first degree from Fort Valley State University in Food and Nutrition and M.A in Dietetics from Florida State University. Next, Mrs. McDavis earned a Baccalaureate in Early Childhood Education from Wesleyan College. After educating for 6 years, she then went on to earn her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Walden University and then a few years later earned her Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont University.
“I am so excited to be a part of the Perdue Family. Our school is a great place, and I am honored to serve everyone in this community. Let's continue to grow great people!”
