Stacey Rutledge, left, will become the new principal at Norman Park Elementary School, and Travet “Tret” Witherspoon, right, will become the new principal at Stringfellow Elementary School. Both moves take effect July 1.

Retirements have made room for two new principals and the movement of a third from one Colquitt County elementary school to another.

Travet “Tret” Witherspoon will the helm of Stringfellow Elementary School beginning July 1. Witherspoon will be replacing retiring Principal Darlene Reynolds.

That same day, Keith Adams, principal of Norman Park Elementary School, will replace Bruce Owen as principal at Sunset Elementary, and Adams will be replaced by Stacey Rutledge.

Witherspoon brings a vast amount of experience to the role of principal, according to a press release from the Colquitt County School System. He began his career in education as an English and history teacher at Cook Middle School in 1997. He then became an English teacher at Moultrie Technical College in 1999 and went on to become a department director at Valdosta Technical College in 2002.

Witherspoon accepted the role of assistant principal of Cook County Elementary School in June of 2004, where he served until accepting the position of Taliaferro County School principal in June of 2007. He is currently the principal of W. Fred Scott Elementary School in Thomasville where he has been for the past six years.

Witherspoon earned his bachelor’s degree in middle grades education from Valdosta State University, his master’s in educational leadership from Albany State University, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Argosy University.

“It is an honor to have been named principal of Stringfellow Elementary School,” Witherspoon said. “I look forward to getting to know students, staff and parents. I plan to build on the already established innovative learning concepts with a positive family atmosphere that will be welcoming, exciting and fun!”

Witherspoon and wife Amelia have three children: TJ, Kaniyah, and Demar.

Rutledge is coming back to his roots in Colquitt County, the school system press release said. A graduate of Colquitt County High School, Rutledge attended Norman Park Elementary School and was raised in the Crosland community.

Rutledge began his career in education as an art teacher at Holley Elementary School in Sylvester. After being a teacher for 12 years, he became the assistant principal of Worth County Primary School in 2004, where he was until 2006 when he transferred to Holley Elementary. Rutledge became the assistant principal once again at Worth County Primary when Holley Elementary consolidated with Sylvester Elementary in 2008 and served in that capacity until 2009.

Rutledge is currently the principal of Worth County Primary School, where he has been for the past five years.

Rutledge earned his bachelor’s degree in art education from Georgia Southern University, his master’s in educational administration from Albany State University, and an educational specialist degree from Albany State University.

“I am honored to be named principal of Norman Park Elementary School,” Rutledge said. “I look forward to serving my home community and the students of Norman Park.”

Rutledge and wife Sandy have two children, Taylor and Rebekah.