Cindy Truett, Principal of Harbins Elementary School

The moment you walk into , you know that it's a well run school.  From the cleanliness to the friendliness, Harbins Elementary School is a top notch Gwinnett County School and much of it is owing to its principal, Dr. Cindy Truett. 

Dr. Truett is in her seventh year leading Harbins Elementary. Her career in education began in 1982 as an elementary school teacher in Rockdale County. In 1993, she became an assistant principal for three years at Shoal Creek Elementary.

Dr. Truett would then go on to teach elementary education at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia for a few years until 1999 when she returned to the public school arena working for Gwinnett County Public Schools where she eventually became the principal of Harbins Elementary in 2004.   

When asked about her role at the school, Dr. Truett is hesitant to focus on herself, instead she goes out of her way to highlight the quality and hard work of the staff and students at Harbins.

"The most rewarding work is being with the students and seeing the positive impact
that the work of our staff members has on the lives of our students," she said.

"Our staff has done a remarkable job to provide learning experiences that result in high student achievement, but also build on each student's strengths," she said.  "Our school is a community of learners where students and staff have strong, positive relationships."

It is evident from her words and her actions that Dr. Truett sincerely enjoys the task she has been given.

"It is exciting to see (students) bound in the front door each morning with smiles and hugs, excited to be at school, ready to learn," she said.  "The experience of being part of a student's growth and development for six years is highly significant and a role we take very seriously. The greatest rewards come in being part of that growth and  getting to witness firsthand as our young students grow and learn."

To Dr. Truett, the close-knit community of learners at Harbins Elementary is simply a reflection of the culture of the Harbins/Dacula community at large.

"This community is steeped in tradition and values that support families being connected and involved," comments Dr. Truett. "The community members are vested in our school and supportive of our success. There is a strong partnership between the school, our families and community members."

Harbins Elementary is a school committed to excellence led by a principal who has the future of each student at heart. For Dr. Truett and her staff, it's not simply about good grades and test scores, it's about establishing foundations for each child's future success.

"We want the students to also have a foundation of skills needed to become successful, contributing members of society," she said.  "Our goal is for our students to leave us with a mindset of community service and leadership so we work to provide multiple opportunities for all students to develop leadership skills and participate in community service projects. They learn through firsthand experiences about setting goals, initiative, leadership and giving back to the community."

It's this sort of commitment to community and individual student development that sets Harbins Elementary and it's principal apart as an important part of Dacula and the Harbins community.