Starting in June, Kendra Brooks will say goodbye to her Sope Creek Elementary School family and take the helm as principal at Murdock Elementary School. Principal Brooks is proud to have spent her entire career in Cobb County. Over the course of the last 20 years, she has served as a teacher, mentor, coach, SLA, and assistant principal. 

She’s eager to develop new relationships and witness the growth of students, teachers, and staff and is excited about the upcoming school year at Murdock. 

The school community can get to know Principal Brooks more through the below question and answer interview. 

Question: Why are you excited to serve the Murdock Elementary School community as principal? 

Answer: “I am thrilled to join this established school community. Murdock Elementary has a reputation for excellence in teaching, high student achievement, and strong community relations. These are pillars that uphold great schools, and I am honored to continue this legacy while also building upon its foundation.”

Question: What can the school community expect to see under your leadership?

Answer: “My personal philosophy is ‘For Children – Through Teachers.’ I believe that students and their success should be at the heart of all decisions that affect schools. I also believe that investing in teachers and teacher development results in a positive environment conducive to maximized teaching and learning. The Murdock community can expect to see a continued focus on student success through strong collaborative teams that build on the collective strengths of our staff and community.”

Question: What does student success look like to you?

Answer: “Students are successful when they are prepared for the future that awaits them. Naturally, this preparation encompasses academic success as a top priority. However, I believe that student success can also be measured through characteristics like integrity, resilience, compassion, and bravery. Murdock Elementary’s mission - Learn, Serve, and Lead - captures this perfectly. We want students to develop the skills required to be kind and respectful leaders of the future.” 

Question: What is your favorite memory as an educator?

Answer: “My first year serving as a reading specialist was a truly rewarding experience. At the end of a year of hard work, a dear student who had grown to love reading presented me with a framed letter that read, ‘Thank you for teaching me how to read.’ I vividly remember the tears in his eyes and the smile on his face as he shared this letter with me. We were both filled with pride and immense joy over his success. I keep this letter in my office as a reminder of the positive impact I can make every day.”

Question: Outside school, where might students, parents, or staff members run into you?

Answer: “My family has recently discovered the joy of hiking. It has been wonderful to explore the trails around Georgia, and I am always amazed by the beauty of nature. Red Top Mountain and Pickett’s Mill have become two of our favorite places to hike. We also LOVE art. It’s not uncommon to find us at Michaels stocking up on supplies for our next project.”