Administration

“Becoming a wonderful teacher, or a great or awesome teacher, is a lifetime affair. This is because good teaching is forever pursuing better teaching; it is always dynamic and in motion, always growing, learning, developing, searching for a better way.” ~ William Ayers 

Dr. Awak altruistically believes that all students can learn and that it is our duty as educators to motivate and challenge students to attain their highest potential. This philosophy has driven her work as an educator for the last thirteen years.

Over her career, Dr. Awak has consistently impacted student achievement and broadened student post-secondary choices. At Douglass High School in 2014, she led the biology team to a 20-point increase in EOCT student proficiency and received Race to the Top Merit for her students' performance. In 2017, as the science instructional coach at Mays High School, she led the science team to achieve double-digit EOC gains in student performance, and in 2018, Dr. Awak was recognized as Support Person of the Year. As an assistant principal, her leadership was instrumental in Therrell High School's authorization as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for the Middle Years, Career-Related, and Diploma Programs. Her efforts resulted in one of every four seniors in the class of 2021 being IB Career-related Program graduates. Because of her leadership impact on student outcomes, Dr. Awak was honored as one of three finalists for the LEADS Assistant Principal of the Year Award in Atlanta Public Schools in 2021.

Before her career in secondary education, Dr. Awak earned her Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Tulane University and her Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering from the University of California San Diego (UCSD). For her leadership inside and outside the lab, Dr. Awak was honored in 2010 as one of the top five engineering graduate students in the inaugural class of UCSD Siebel Scholars.

Dr. Awak is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and a proud New Orleans Public School System product, graduating from the illustrious McDonogh 35 Senior High School. She is a loving wife, bonus mother, dutiful daughter, supportive big sister, and loyal friend.

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” - William Arthur Ward

Ms. Bynum has 23 years of experience in education. She served one year at St. Jude H.S in Montgomery, AL, 15 years in Cobb County at Pebblebrook H.S, and the last 8 years in Fulton County at Riverwood H.S., where she served as a Health and Physical Education teacher, Dept. Chair, Head Volleyball Coach, Head Golf Coach, and Head and Asst. Basketball Coach. In 2012, she was named the Cobb County Schools "Health and Physical Education Teacher of the Year". During her coaching stint, she has won many awards and made numerous state playoff appearances including two-Final Four finishes, two-Elite 8 finishes, and three Sweet 16 appearances. During the four years that she coached at Riverwood H.S, she was named "Region Coach of the Year" four times, was Region Champs four times, and coached players that were named "Region Player of the Year" each year.

Coach Bynum was a former standout high school and Division I-AA collegiate athlete in both Volleyball and Softball. As a Volleyball player at Alabama State University, she received the Most Valuable Player as a Defensive Specialist award in 2000 and she remains #4 on the Alabama State all-time career digs record list. In addition, she is #9 on the Alabama State all-time career service aces list. Bynum-Isler earned All-SWAC recognition as a shortstop for the Lady Hornets Softball Team.

Coach Bynum holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Health Education from Alabama State University, a Master's Degree in Public Health from Argosy University, and Leadership Certification from The University of West Georgia. She is also a certified USAV, AAU, and Atlanta Area Volleyball Official. Coach Bynum has a daughter, who played DI volleyball for Austin Peay State University and currently plays for Alabama State University.

Ms. Bynum began her tenure here at Creekside in the Fall of 2020. She has served as Freshman Academic and Discipline Dean, PE Dept Admin and DC, Asst. Athletic Director, Business Manager, PTSA Admin, and a list of other duties and responsibilities. 

The illiterate of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and Relearn. - Alvin Toffler

Mr. Polite believes Education is both an art and science using data, various colors, and techniques, to provide a balanced approach to teaching and learning. Mr. Polite illustrates this leadership approach at Creekside High School, where he has served as an Assistant Principal for four years.

Mr. Polite has served as an educational leader for six years (2016-2022) as an Administrative Assistant and Assistant Principal at various high schools in south Fulton County. He is noted for working on closing the achievement gap with 9th-grade students.

Prior to joining Fulton County in 2016, Mr. Polite served as a choral educator and Department Chair at Frederick Douglass High School in the Atlanta Public Schools District. During his 15-year tenure there, he was recognized for his pedagogical work with his choir's superior ratings from 2008 through 2016. Mr. Polite holds a Bachelor of Science in choral music from Florida A&M University and a Masters of vocal performance from Florida State University.

An Atlanta native, Mr. Polite is a product of the Atlanta Public School System and the proud parent of Kennedi, Kaitlyn, and Cole. He enjoys singing, traveling, and exercising when he isn't teaching and rearing children.

“It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” – Frederick Douglass

Mr. Ross believes that all students can learn when given appropriate opportunities. Mr. Ross also believes that students understand best by ‘doing’, which leads to the notion that students learn best through active engagement and techniques that require one to work harder to comprehend material. It is this philosophy that he has shared and practiced at Creekside High School for the past seven years.

Mr. Ross joined Creekside High School in 2015 following seven years of service within the Fulton County School System. His career began in the Atlanta Public Schools where he taught fourth grade for six years at Tull Waters Elementary. Mr. Ross earned Tull Waters “Teacher of the Year” for the 2000-01 school year prior to serving as math coordinator for Project GRAD Atlanta.

After serving as math coordinator at Project GRAD Atlanta, he continued his leadership role in Atlanta Public Schools by serving as assistant principal at the district’s first charter school Charles R. Drew Charter School.

Mr. Ross’ next leadership roles took place in Fulton County Schools where he served as assistant principal at Benjamin Banneker High School, Sandtown Middle School, and Creekside High School.

Mr. Ross holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Morehouse College, a Master of Educational Leadership from Kennesaw State University, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University.

Mr. Ross is a native of Chicago, IL.  Mr. Ross is a proud father of two adult children. Mr. Ross is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

"Education is your passport to success in this world." - Michael Render

Mrs. Troutman aims to prepare students with the necessary skills to confidently meet every opportunity and pursue dreams. She discovered her passion for education during a college internship with the Department of Juvenile Justice. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 2006, she pursued a master's degree from Mercer University in Middle Grades Math Education. For 11 years, she taught math in both Clayton County Public Schools and Atlanta Public Schools, consistently achieving remarkable results. Her students' achievements on the CRCT state exams ranged between 86-93% pass rates. On the more rigorous GMAS state exam, at least 70% of her students passed each year. Mrs. Troutman was named Teacher of the Year in 2016 at Babb Middle School and a Teacher of the Year District Top Finalist in Clayton County. 

She earned a certificate in Project Management in 2016 from the University of Georgia and honed her ability to create systems that impact positive school outcomes. She was appointed to positions such as grade-level chair, PBIS Coach, Saturday and Summer School Administrator. For three years, she worked as an instructional coach for Bunche Middle School of Atlanta Public Schools, where she was chosen to lead the district's math enrichment Summer Program and train aspiring leaders. In 2022, she joined the staff of Creekside High School as a school improvement coach. During her first year, she supported the Algebra team of teachers, who helped 100% of students demonstrate growth on the GA Milestone EOC Algebra Assessment. She contributed to improvements in the area of CTAE and College and Career Initiatives. She was awarded Support Professional of the Year in 2023.

As a true Georgia girl, she enjoys music, traveling, reading, outdoor activities, and new adventures. Her most valued moments are times spent laughing and sharing the company of friends and family. 

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” –Winston Churchill

Mrs. Starks-Payne serves as the Administrator Assistant and Dean of Students for our Tenth Grade Academy. She has served in the field of education for 10 years and has shown a deep commitment to elevating instruction and empowering students. Her passion for shaping our students, community and school culture is evident in everything she does for our school.

 She began her journey into education by studying Social Sciences at Fort Valley State University and finishing with a Bachelor of Science from Middle Georgia State University, formerly Macon State College. She later obtained a Master of Science in Secondary English Education at the University of Phoenix, Atlanta. Her academic achievements led her to pursue a pivotal role in education.

 With immense passion for instruction, Mrs. Starks-Payne served as an English Language Arts teacher in both Clayton County and Atlanta Public Schools. She also has served in essential leadership roles such as content lead for ELA as well as department chair. Throughout her career, she has strived and achieved success in student growth both academically and behaviorally. She continues to provide knowledge, skills, and social and emotional tools for personal growth and societal progress in students as well as colleagues.

Beyond her academic and professional endeavors as a member of the Creekside TRIBE, she enjoys spending time with her family, travel, and exploring unique coffee spots and restaurants.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ~ Nelson Mandela

Mrs. Magee understands the importance of cultivating a climate that encompasses and nurtures a positive learning environment that students, faculty, and the community want to embrace rather than finding ways to escape. Her leadership philosophy consists of core principles and values that create a belief system to help guide in the effective decision-making process she practices daily as the Academic Dean and Testing Coordinator at Creekside High School for 7 years.

Before joining the Creekside family, Mrs. Magee’s teaching career started at Piper High School. She continued at Cypress Bay High School and entered Fulton County Schools at Camp Creek Middle School and later Sandtown Middle School. Mrs. Magee earned her bachelor's from Alcorn State, a master's from the University of Phoenix as well as a master's and educational specialist from Barry University and she is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership at CapellaUniversity.  

Mrs. Magee is originally from Mississippi, and she moved to Atlanta in 2007 where she made her introduction to Fulton County Schools.  Outside of being an amazing asset to the student body and faculty, Mrs. Magee is a loving wife to her husband, Charlie and a phenomenal mother and mentor to her children, Chayah, London and Lynden. She also finds time to give back to the community as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and Jack and Jill of America Incorporated.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." —
Nelson Mandela

Mr. Simon is passionate about changing the trajectory of students' lives. Believing that education extends beyond books and classrooms, where teachers act as role models, and mentors. Recently, he served as the Response to Intervention educator, providing direct behavioral support to both students and staff. Mr. Simon has held various leadership roles throughout his educational career that allowed him to collaborate with leaders across the district and implement frameworks that had a positive impact throughout the district. During his years as an educator at Woodland Middle School, he served as the Connections Department Chair and simultaneously as the District Pathway Lead for Middle School Business, promoting programs and supporting curriculum development across the district.

Committed to education, Mr. Simon has been recognized through several accolades. As PBIS Coach, he was instrumental in elevating Woodland Middle School's PBIS model to a distinguished level. His role in the Extended Instructional Leadership Team involved contributing to the school's vision and daily operations.

Mr. Simon holds a Master of Education Leadership from the University of West Georgia. He also possesses a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Alabama A&M University. Recently, he obtained an MTSS Endorsement.
An Atlanta native, Mr. Simon currently resides in McDonough, Georgia, with his wife Te-Ann and their children Sean and Gabrielle.  He is committed to fitness, community and balances his professional responsibilities with a fulfilling life, dedicated to continuous learning and personal development.