Friday, November 28, 2003
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Friday, November 28, 2003 |
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Principal's death leaves system reeling By JOHN THOMPSON “She was a very neat lady and extremely well-liked.” That sentiment, spoken by Coweta County public information officer Dean Jackson, seems to sum up the feelings toward Madras Middle School principal Lauren Stepaniak. Last week, Stepaniak passed away following a long illness. The school and Superintendent Peggy Connell informed students and parents by letter of Stepaniak's passing. Jackson said Stepaniak took the Madras in July, after a career with the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent school system, and teaching positions in Fort Buchanon and Aguadillo, Puerto Rico; Guam; and Cibolo, Texas, among other posts. Before coming to the Coweta County School System she served as a public relations specialist with the Department of Defense in Peachtree City. “Mrs. Stepaniak recently told her husband that being named principal of Madras Middle School was the highlight of her career,” said Dr. Peggy Connell, in the letter to students and parents. “The Coweta County School System, along with the Madras family, joins together in remembering her family and friends during this difficult time.” “She was a great educator and very committed to the success of Madras Middle and the students and staff here,” said Rick Waggoner, assistant principal at Madras. “She was a compassionate lady and had a lot of positive educational ideas she was implementing at Madras to make it one of the best middle schools." Services were held for Stepaniak last Saturday. The Coweta County School System also announced last week that Karen Wyler would be the interim principal at Madras. Wyler was serving as the curriculum lead teacher at Eastside Elementary School in Senoia, and has had a long career in education. “For the last two years, she was the elementary principal at Landmark Christian School,” Jackson said. Prior to her appointment at Landmark, Wyler taught for several years at Fayette County schools, including Braelinn Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary and Kedron Elementary.
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