Principal's Memo

We are excited to share some fantastic news with our school community: Dr. Julie McFaddin has been named our new 7th-grade Assistant Principal!

Dr. McFaddin is already a familiar, welcome face to many of our families through her impactful work as our school’s instructional coach. She brings a deep, well-rounded background in education to this leadership role, having served as a classroom teacher and as the Curriculum Coordinator with Teaching and Learning for CSD. Her strong expertise in high-quality instruction and staff development makes her an incredible addition to our administrative team as we continue driving student growth, academic excellence, and a supportive learning environment.

Please join us in celebrating Dr. McFaddin as she steps into this new leadership role for the upcoming school year. We are thrilled for the energy, experience, and dedication she will bring to our 7th graders and our entire school family!

We're excited to announce our newest School Leadership Team (SLT) members! Please join us in congratulating two new parent members and two new staff members. We look forward to the new ideas and contributions they'll bring to our school community!

Since moving to Decatur in 2011, my family has grown up in Decatur City Schools. All three of my

children started at College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center, attended Oakhurst Elementary,

and then Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary (F.Ave). Today, I have a fourth grader at F.Ave, a seventh

grader at Beacon Hill Middle School, and a junior at Decatur High School.

At this point, our family has experienced nearly every stage of the Decatur school journey, and we

have watched teachers, administrators, and staff show up for students day after day. I have seen the positive impact they have had not only on my own children, but on so many families across our

community. Serving on the School Leadership Team feels like an opportunity to give something back to a school system that has given my family so much.

What interests me most about the SLT is the chance to help shape conversations about the future of the school while keeping students at the center of every decision. As a parent, I understand that

families often bring different perspectives and priorities. I don''t think the goal is always to have the same opinion. The goal is to hear what parents and students have to say and ask thoughtful questions in return so that we can work together to make decisions in the best interest of all children. Every family experiences school differently, and I believe it is important that decisions are made with a broad range of voices and experiences in mind.

In my professional life, I spend much of my time helping people navigate change by bringing people

together, understanding different perspectives, analyzing information, and helping move initiatives

forward. Those experiences have taught me the importance of not only thoughtful decision-making

and clear communication, but also strong collaboration, skills that would allow me to contribute

positively to the work of the School Leadership Team.

Beacon Hill Middle School is at a unique stage in a child's educational journey. It is a time when

students are becoming more independent and confident, discovering new interests and friendships,

and learning who they are. I want every student to have the support, opportunities, and sense of

belonging they need to succeed during these important years. Most importantly, I care about ensuring that all students can learn and feel supported at school. I want Beacon Hill to be a place where students are challenged academically, families feel welcome and engaged, and teachers have the support they need to do their best work.

My name is Katrina Styles, and I am the proud parent of Tracy Styles (T.J.), an incoming sixth-grade student. I am excited about the opportunity to serve as a member of the School Leadership Team because I believe strong partnerships between families, educators, and the community create the foundation for student success.

In addition to my professional background, I have actively served in school communities through my involvement with the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at both Oakhurst Elementary and Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to family engagement, school collaboration, and supporting initiatives that enhance the student experience.

Professionally, I am a Master’s-level Social Worker currently pursuing my Clinical Social Work licensure (LCSW). I currently serve as a Social Science Specialist and Crisis Line Responder with the Veterans Health Administration’s Veterans Crisis Line through the Office of Suicide Prevention. In this role, I provide immediate crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and emotional support to veterans and their families during moments of acute distress. This work requires sound clinical judgment, calm and effective communication under pressure, trauma-informed care, and the ability to make rapid, ethical decisions that prioritize safety and stabilization.

Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience in mental health, family wellness, crisis intervention, case management, and community engagement. I have advocated for children, adolescents, adults, and families by helping them navigate complex challenges while connecting them with appropriate supports and resources. These experiences have strengthened my ability to listen actively, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, resolve conflict, and approach sensitive issues with empathy, cultural humility, and professionalism.

I bring to this role, crisis de-escalation, trauma-informed practice, ethical decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, systems thinking, effective communication, and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion. I am skilled in building trust with individuals and families, identifying strengths and needs, and supporting problem-solving in high-stakes and emotionally charged environments.

I bring a collaborative mindset, thoughtful leadership, and a genuine desire to serve. I value transparency, relationship-building, and creating spaces where every family feels heard and represented. As my son begins this important transition into middle school, I look forward to contributing to initiatives that enhance the educational experience for all students while helping build a positive, inclusive, and supportive school community.

As both a parent and a mental health professional, I understand that every child learns differently and deserves access to an educational environment that supports their academic, social, and emotional growth. I am passionate about promoting student well-being, strengthening family engagement, supporting equity in education, and fostering open communication between families and school leadership.

It would be an honor to serve on the School Leadership Team and work alongside school leaders, educators, parents, and fellow community members to help ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

A educator since 2017, I am excited to bring my passion for student success to the Beacon Hill Middle School Leadership Team. As a 7th-grade math teacher and the Decatur High School girls basketball coach, I believe strong relationships are the foundation of both academic achievement and athletic growth. I look forward to partnering with families, teachers, and administration to help our school community flourish this year.

Dr. Carrie Hedrick joins the Beacon Hill SLT with 25-years in education. She holds a Doctorate in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership from Northeastern University, bringing extensive expertise in instructional excellence and organizational growth to the SLT. She is a resident of Reynoldstown—and thoroughly enjoying her new 11-minute commute. Outside of school leadership, she is a vibrant part of the local culture scene: an avid traveler, hiker, reader, foodie, High Museum member, and live-music fanatic. She is also a passionate supporter of local soccer as a founding member of Footie Mob for Atlanta United FC.