July 10, 2025—With close to 24 years in education, including more than a decade in leadership, Principal D. Cory Stanley returns to the East Cobb area with a deep understanding of schools and the community as he takes the helm at Simpson Middle School. His career began in a Dickerson Middle School classroom, and now, more than two decades later, he is stepping into the role as principal of another top-performing middle school. 

The veteran Cobb educator offers insight into his approach to leadership and how he plans to support the continued success of the Simpson community. 

Question: Why are you excited about joining the Simpson Middle School community? 

Answer: “Simpson has a reputation for excellence in so many ways. Its staff is a top-tier team whose results speak for themselves. The students are high performing and demonstrate outstanding behavior, which is, of course, a reflection of highly engaged families. The community values education at the highest level and is therefore incredibly supportive of the schools. Simpson has all the factors you look for in a great school, and I am incredibly excited to be a part of the team!” 

Question: What does “student success” mean to you? 

Answer: “Student success to me has always meant growth. Not every student walks into school on any given day ready to achieve at the highest level. However, every student can walk into that building with a growth mindset and work hard to be a little better today than they were yesterday, and a little better tomorrow than they are today. Realizing student success in this manner is possible only with the support of a team of skilled adults who assure students are making gains each and every day of the school year, which is exactly what is already in place at Simpson.” 

Question: Under your leadership, how will you build on the school’s successes? 

Answer: “Simpson Middle School is already recognized as one of the highest performing middle schools in the state, so I will not be bringing any sweeping changes to the school as none are needed! I will bring a highly instructional focus, attention to detail, and a history of building positive relationships with students, staff, and community. Working together over the coming years, I know that we can not only maintain the current successes at Simpson but guarantee that every aspect of what we do for students and with students is the absolute best!” 

Question: What role do you see parents and the community playing in supporting student success? 

Answer: “The most important role of them all! As much as we will do for and with students at Simpson in the years ahead, there is no factor more important in a student’s success than parent partnership. Even with all the expertise of the Simpson staff, we will be nowhere near as able to maximize our students’ achievements without highly engaged parents. This work is a team effort involving parents, students, and the school, with all parties playing a role in how successful we can be. The more we are collaborating and flying in the same direction, the higher we will soar!” 

Question: What do you like most about being a principal? 

Answer: “The best part about being a principal is watching a team of adults pour all their expertise and experience into students so that they can each become the best version of themselves. As mentioned previously, this looks different for every student, but as educators, we all recognize it when we see it, and there is nothing more professionally satisfying than when we do. Knowing that I get to have a role in assuring the Simpson team is the most equipped to make this happen for every student is why I love doing what I do.” 

Question: Outside of school, where might parents and students find you, or what’s an interesting fact about you that the school community might enjoy learning? 

Answer: “I am a native Hoosier and a graduate of Indiana University. While I do love Indiana basketball, my favorite sport is baseball, and my favorite team is the Chicago Cubs. However, I did marry a Georgia girl, who grew up with the Braves of the '90s. So, which game we get to watch at our house is often a debate. We’re both such fans that our two cats are named Hank and Ernie after Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks.”