Editor’s Note: This is the seventh part of a series of stories featuring new principals in Troup County

On the first day of school Thursday, Callaway Elementary School Principal Christina Grace said it felt like she was back home.

“This was where I started my administrative career,” Grace said. “I was here for seven years as an instructional specialist before going to Rosemont [Elementary School] as principal. Coming back to Callaway, I know many of the students already. The majority of the teachers here I had a hand in hiring.”

Grace said the staff is like a family, and they held a small celebration after the first day ended.

“Today as we were dipping ice cream, one of the songs that came on our playlist was ‘We are Family,’” Grace said. “As I looked around the room, I saw people who I can remember their first year as teachers and how they have grown. I saw people who started out as a first-year teacher, and now they’re our master teachers. They’ve grown by leaps and bounds.”

Originally from Alabama, Grace said she has extended family in Troup County. After she received her college degree, she was subbing in Auburn when she called the Troup County School System to see if it had an opening.

Grace has spent all of her 23 years in education in Troup County. She first began in education as a pre-kindergarten teacher at Berta Weathersbee Elementary School.

Grace worked for nine years as a teacher at the elementary school level and four years as a science and math teacher Long Cane Middle School. She then worked seven years at CES as an instructional specialist before serving as the Rosemont Elementary principal for the last two years.

“I love Troup County,” Grace said. “My children are products of Troup County, and I believe in our system and I believe in what we do.”

Grace said her focus this year is on students reaching their literacy goals and building relationships with the staff and students.

Grace said she wants CES to be a place where the students and staff want to be.

“It’s already a warm and exciting atmosphere here at Callaway,” Grace said. “My job is to continue that homey feeling.”

Grace said her favorite thing about education is seeing students strive to meet the goals they set.

“I believe as educators, we are here to provide that support system,” Grace said. “I tell my students daily that your job is to dream big, we want you to dream big. Then, I want us to think about those dreams and set goals along the way, so that you can accomplish those dreams. For me the best part is seeing our students start the dream and then make goals to accomplish them.”

Outside of work, Grace said she enjoys watching college football and cheering on Auburn.

Grace is married to husband Scotty, and they have two children, Jake, 27, and Hope, 23.