Many students have no idea what their teachers are like outside of the classroom, or even inside, for that matter. When you see a teacher or administrator somewhere other than school, like the mall or the grocery store, it’s like seeing an animal in the wild for the first time. Strange, unexpected, and almost surreal. Students might not know who Dr. Angela Mitchell, the new Principal of North Atlanta High School, is. Sure, they’ve heard the yearly rundown of the school’s new policies and goals, but many have no idea how and why Mitchell is so passionate about education. Sitting down and talking with Mitchell fosters passionate conversations about her ideas and goals.
In many ways, Mitchell was destined for a career in education. Both of her parents were high school teachers in a small town in South Georgia. She said she was practically raised in a high school. From pep rallies to Friday night lights, Mitchell loves it all. Because of this, for the past 26 years, she has worked in a high school. “This was a job I prayed for. I prayed to be a math teacher, and I got it. I prayed to be an assistant principal, and I got it. I prayed to be a principal. And I’m very blessed,” Mitchell said, “This is my dream. I do believe this is what I was born to do.”
Mitchell isn’t going to let her dream go to waste. She said she aims to improve Milestone EOC scores, increase minority representation in North Atlanta’s IB program, and overall foster a greater sense of school pride. Education has played an important role in Mitchell’s life and has given her many opportunities. She wants the same for the students at North Atlanta. “I think that our brightest students are thriving, and I want all of our students to thrive,” Mitchell said.
Many students are annoyed with the new phone ban, but Mitchell said she sees it as an opportunity for growth. To Mitchell, decreased distractions mean a greater focus and better opportunities. Not that she never experiences the desire to hold the cell phone. “I look at myself and as a 50-year-old woman, I even get distracted by the cell phone,” Mitchell said, “I have to turn my phone over in a meeting because I’m constantly looking at it, so I can only imagine what it is like for someone much younger.”
Last year, Mitchell stepped into Mr. Curtis Douglas’s role as an interim principal. Even though it was a temporary title, her co-workers noticed how she brought her A-game. Mechelle Jones, the NAHS junior counselor, has worked with Mitchell for thirteen years. “When Mr. Douglas left, it took courage for her to meet things head-on and handle things as they came,” Jones said. “There’s a difference between a boss and a leader. A boss commands, whereas a leader inspires people to do what needs to be done.”
Dr. Mitchell has both a desire for excellence and a deep care for the students at North Atlanta. She has a passion for education and a soft spot for high school students, as she has experienced its multitude of benefits firsthand. After years of rising through the ranks, Mitchell knows she is right where she was meant to be. “ I want children to see the administrative team, not just me, as real people. That’s who we are. There’s more behind the stern exterior.”
