Griffin High School

On April 19, the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) Board of Education approved the superintendent’s recommendation to appoint Naja Douglas as the principal of Griffin High School.

Naja Douglas has served as the principal of Carver Road Middle School since 2019. Douglas began at Carver Road Middle in 2012 serving as a teacher and academic coach before being appointed assistant principal in 2015. Prior to joining GSCS, she taught special education and language arts at Ringgold Middle School for 10 years.

Douglas received her bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Learning from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga and her master’s and specialist degrees in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Technological University.

“During her tenure as principal at Carver Road Middle, Naja has had many great accomplishments. The school has seen great gains in student achievement and improvements in school climate and culture. I am confident that her knowledge, experience and leadership will be an asset to the students and staff at Griffin High School. Naja has an unwavering commitment to transforming lives and I look forward to seeing the impact she will make,” stated GSCS Superintendent Dr. Keith Simmons.

With 15 years in education, Ms. Princess Banks comes to Griffin High School from Bibb County, where she served as the Program for Exceptional Children instructional coach. Also, Ms. Banks was part of the 2022 graduating class of the Bibb County Schools VIP Leadership Academy for future leaders. Prior to Bibb County Schools, she was a science teacher, mentor and head basketball coach for Carver Road Middle School in Griffin, Georgia. Ms. Banks also was employed with the Lamar County School System for six years in several roles, such as alternative school lead, Credit Recovery department chair, CTAE Early Childhood and Teaching as a Profession instructor, FCCLA advisor, basketball assistant and head volleyball coach. Ms. Banks and the high school volleyball team made numerous state playoff appearances.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson University, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Georgia.  

Ms. Banks believes in the impact of education and its ability to change lives.  She also believes we are given an opportunity to learn and change our spectrum of understanding, therefore, modifying our outcomes.  She is excited about returning to the Griffin-Spalding County School System and the opportunity to work with students, staff and the community of Griffin High School.  She looks forward to a momentous year and being part of the BEAR Nation.

Ms. LaTonya Higdon was born and raised in Dublin, GA, and is an alumni of East Laurens High School. She is the proud mother of Jaylon Higdon -- a college student at Clayton State University. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Georgia College and State University, a Master of Arts in Education in Cross Categorical Special Education from University of Phoenix and a Specialist in Education degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia College and State University. She has been an educator for 17 years, serving in the capacity as special education teacher (autism), lead special education teacher, behavior specialist, and MTSS specialist.

Her philosophy as an educator derives from a proverb (Mathew 4:19):  “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” It is her goal to impact the lives of those she serves by equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to compete globally, become college and-career ready scholars, and productive citizens. 

Ms. Higdon is excited to serve in the capacity of assistant principal at Griffin High School and looks forward to bridging the gap between students, teachers, parents/guardians, and the community.

Mr Samuel Wright has been in education for over eleven years. He got his start serving as a Language Arts and Social Studies teacher in Bibb County at Howard Middle School from 2013 to 2017 where he also served as an assistant coach for the school’s football team and later a head coach for their middle school basketball team. From there, he served briefly at Veteran Memorial Middle School in Newton County as the Department Chair for the 8th Grade Social Studies team. In 2019 he transitioned into instructional coaching, aiding Dooly County High School and the Dooly County K-8 Academy in their transformative journey from the CSI List.

Throughout his tenure, Wright wore several hats including overseeing the school’s EIP and REP programs, training new teachers, and finally serving the elementary school as an assistant principal. Educationally, he received his Bachelor’s of Education from Fort Valley State University and later his Masters degree in History. Additionally, he’s served as an adjunct instructor for his alma mater from 2020-2023, teaching World History to the freshmen students while also contributing academic articles to various publications including the Journal of the Georgia Association of Historians.

His educational philosophy centers on social constructivism and as a result he aims to create an environment that allows staff and students to learn from each other. His favorite quote from an unknown source states, “He who teaches speaks to the future”.

Mr. Travis Smith has 14 years as an educator.  Prior to joining the Griffin High school family, he served as the Athletic Director and Department Lead for the Health and Physical Education Department, at Douglas County High School.  He also taught at Langston Hughes High School, in Fairburn, GA. Smith also has 14 years experience as a high school football coach, having served as Offensive Coordinator at both Douglas County and Langston Hughes high schools. 

Smith earned an Educational Specialist degree in Leadership from Georgia College and State University.  He earned an Educational Specialist degree in Coaching Pedagogy from Valdosta State University.  Smith also has a Master's degree in Sports Administration from American Public University and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Presbyterian College.  

"The Griffin High School community is one full of pride and respect for "The G".  I look forward to serving our school and community this school year." Smith says.