Stilson Elementary will have a new principal next school year, but the principal is not new to the school.
    Pam Goodman, a 13-year veteran of Bulloch County Schools, was named the new principal during the school board meeting Thursday.
    “I’m looking forward to serving the families and staff at Stilson,” Goodman said Friday morning. “I’m bringing a fresh face to the role, but I plan to continue the great things already happening there.”   
    Goodman served as an assistant principal at Nevils Elementary for four years and another year as the assistant principal for both Nevils and Stilson.
    “You could not have a better person as principal of SES than Pam Goodman,” Nevils Principal Julie Blackmar said. “She not only has the knowledge and skills for the job, but she has the personality and leadership traits it takes to be a successful administrator. She is a talented educator with a passion for helping children to succeed.”
    Last year, Goodman was the assistant principal at Julia P. Bryant Elementary.
    “Mrs. Goodman has been a huge asset to me and the rest of Bear Nation, and she will be missed greatly,” Bryant Principal Nate Pennington said. “She has a work ethic that is beyond reproach. She is extremely supportive of the teachers and will always act in the best interest of the children.” 
    Goodman’s prior service at Stilson makes her no stranger to its halls. Her handprints are literally on the wall. Stilson has a tradition dating back about 20 years of placing students’ and staff members’ handprints, painted in their mascot’s signature “Stinger” blue, along the hall.
    “My prints are there, and I’ll add another set of prints now as principal,” she said. 
    Goodman received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in early childhood education and education leadership from Georgia Southern University.
    Eileen Bayens, the current principal, will retire Friday with 31 years in education, 21 of those in Bulloch County. Bayens led Stilson for five years and was its assistant principal for 10.
    Justin Chester will continue to serve as Stilson’s assistant principal. April Beasley and Michelle Curtis will serve as assistant principals for Bryant, with Beasley splitting her time between both Bryant and Portal Elementary.