July 3, 2023 -- Columbus City Schools is pleased to announce eight new principalships ahead of the 2023-2024 school year.
Broadleigh Elementary School
Dr. Kristy Leigh will serve as the new principal of Broadleigh Elementary School.
Dr. Leigh has been with CCS for 26 years. She most recently served as the Peer Assistance and Review Supervisor. In this role, she developed a supportive mentoring program for 22 new teachers. She has also served as the principal of Cedarwood Alternative Elementary School and worked in several coaching roles in the District’s Reading and Language Arts Department.
Dr. Leigh holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Miami University. In addition, she earned a Master of Arts in Social Studies Education and Global Studies from The Ohio State University and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Capital University. She is also a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Policy and Leadership from The Ohio State University.
Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys
Dr. Michael Warren will serve as the new principal of Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys.
Dr. Warren comes to us from Olentangy Local School District, where he served as principal of Arrowhead Elementary School. Before that, he played integral roles in school districts throughout Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, including as an assistant principal and nine years in roles rooted in music education and leadership.
Dr. Warren holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, a Master of Science in Education in Education Administration K-12 and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Duquesne University.
Cranbrook Elementary School
Maria Grossman will serve as the new principal of Cranbrook Elementary School.
Grossman has been with CCS for six years. She most recently served as a leadership intern at Ecole-Kenwood French Immersion (K-6). Before that, she served as an instructional coach leading the District’s “Power On” project and integrating the LETRS training program. As the program manager, she built a system of support for teachers through mentoring and modeling concepts in the classroom. Grossman has also taught first, second, and third grade both in the District and externally in Westerville City Schools.
Grossman holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Ohio Dominican University, and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Ashland University.
Leawood Elementary School
Shonte Ivey-Spears will serve as the new principal of Leawood Elementary School.
Ivey-Spears joined the CCS family in 2016 as a math teacher at Sherwood Middle School, taking an active role in the growth of her students through the implementation of research-based instructional strategies and intervention data to increase student mastery. A year later, she traded the classroom for a position as a school guidance counselor serving students and families at Oakmont and Shady Lane Elementary Schools and working closely with state agencies to provide social-emotional support to students and families. From there, she transitioned into the role of assistant principal at Scottwood Elementary. Most recently, Ivey-Spears has served as principal of Broadleigh Elementary School.
Ivey-Spears holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Marketing from Clark Atlanta University. She earned two Master’s of Arts in School Administration K-12 and School Counseling K-12 from the University of West Alabama. Additionally, Ivey-Spears holds an Education Specialist Degree from the University of West Alabama.
Lincoln Park Elementary School
Vera Babbs will serve as the new principal of Lincoln Park Elementary School.
Babbs has been with CCS for 30 years. She most recently served as the assistant principal at Linden McKinley STEM Academy. Before that, she served as the principal of Duxbery Arts Impact Elementary School and assistant principal at Marion-Franklin High School and Northland High School. Babbs has a combined 23 years of teaching at the K-8 levels. Babbs specializes in leadership development, STEM curriculum, college and career support, PBIS, and facilitating professional development opportunities for staff.
Babbs holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Reading Education from Capital University. She holds two Master’s of Sciences in Curriculum and Instruction and a Principal’s License 4-12 from Ashland University. Currently, she is pursuing a doctorate in K-12 Education Diversity at Walden University.
Hilltonia Middle School
Roxanne Martin will serve as the new principal of Hilltonia Middle School.
Martin has been with CCS for the past eight years. During this time, she spent four years teaching science and English Language Arts at Hilltonia. A year later, following her leadership intern training at Easthaven Elementary School and Starling K-8, she returned to Hilltonia as the assistant principal. Prior to CCS, she taught at a charter school that prepared her for the culturally rich diversity of CCS. Martin looks forward to another year leading her extended family at Hilltonia Middle School.
Martin holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Ecology, a Master of Middle Childhood Education, and a Master of Education Administration from The Ohio State University.
Sherwood Middle School
Latosha Glass will serve as the new principal of Sherwood Middle School.
Glass is new this year to CCS. Glass comes to us from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, where she served as principal and assistant principal. With nearly two decades of working in urban school districts, she successfully leads teachers in the areas of curriculum, instruction, development, and implementation contributing to strong family relationships and positive school culture.
Glass holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Cleveland State University.
Westmoor Middle School
Wendy Gittens will serve as the new principal of Westmoor Middle School.
Gittens has been with CCS since 2018, where she served as the assistant principal at Northland High School. This role provided her with opportunities to prepare 10th and 11th-grade students for success in school and career prep. Before that, she was an assistant principal for the Livingston Campus of Reynoldsburg High School. Gittens has a history of working for the Department of Defense in Washington D.C., managing staff across seven recreational facilities and leading fellow engineers as part of the United States Army.
Gittens holds a Bachelor of Science in General Studies with a focus on electrical engineering from Western Kentucky University. Gittens has earned a Master of Business Administration in Educational Leadership from The Ohio State University and a Master of Arts Management from Webster University.
