Ms. Hagood began her career in education in Salem City Schools,
located in Salem, Virginia after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in
Education at Roanoke College, Master’s Degree in Curriculum and
Instruction from the University of Virginia, and her leadership certification
from Virginia Tech.
After teaching 12 years in Virginia, she and her family relocated to
Cherokee County where she has served as a teacher and test coordinator
at Bascomb ES, teacher at Hasty ES, Assistant Principal at Avery, Assistant
Principal at Carmel, and Principal of Free Home ES. Ms. Hagood considers
it a privilege to be able to return to Carmel as the Principal. She enjoys spending
time with her children who both live in the area. Her son Will is an attorney and owns his
own law firm, Hagood Injury Law, in Woodstock. Her daughter Lauren is an Instructional
Technology Specialist for CCSD. Her daughter-in-law Angelei is also a teacher at Free Home ES.
Don’t be surprised to find some “wild” things in her office! From bats to alligators,
there is always something new to see; she is a nature lover at heart!
Dr. Michele Harcarik began her teaching career 22 years ago in South Florida
where she was born and raised. Prior to becoming a teacher, Dr. Harcarik attended
the University of Central Florida earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and
subsequently becoming a flight attendant in order to travel the world. After two years
of exploring she decided to go back to school and she earned a Master’s Degree
in Education from Florida Atlantic University and began teaching elementary
school in the Broward County School system. During this time, she also completed
her Doctoral degree in Curriculum & Instruction at FAU with a certification in
Educational Leadership.
After teaching for 10 years in Florida, she decided to pursue a lifelong dream of living
near Washington DC. Here she worked as a Reading Interventionist at an
elementary school and a middle school in Falls Church City, VA and was then
promoted to Assistant Principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School where she
worked for 3 years.
In 2017, Dr. H moved to Georgia to be closer to family and
accepted a position as an Assistant Principal at Carmel Elementary. Dr. H lives in
Woodstock with her son Ryan, who will be starting Kindergarten at Carmel this fall.
Together they love to travel and explore the outdoors.
Mrs. Lea Henderson is a Georgia girl, born and raised in Cobb County. Mrs. Henderson
began her teaching career 11 years ago, in Cobb County where she spent her last two
years serving as an academic coach, before transferring to Cherokee County in 2018.
She loved serving as an Academic Facilitator at Clark Creek and states that she is beyond
excited to join the Colt Family. She received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood
Education from Kennesaw State University. GO OWLS! She continued on with KSU to
receive her master’s degree in Instructional Technology. After a short break, she continued
her learning through Berry College, to receive her specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership.
In addition to her degrees, Mrs. Henderson has various endorsements and certifications
including, Reading, ESOL, Gifted, and Instructional Coaching. Mrs. Henderson and her
husband Mitchell live in Cherokee County and their son Lexton attended both E.T. Booth,
and Etowah, starting his senior year next year. When she is not collaborating with teachers
and families, Mrs. Henderson loves to get outdoors and be active with her family.
“ I have heard so many amazing things about the Colts staff and families, and I can’t wait
to serve as the new Assistant Principal for Carmel Elementary.”
