For Jeff Cher, being named as principal of Eastside High School is like coming full circle.

He began his teaching career there in 1998. After a brief hiatus in 2007 when he served as assistant principal at Veterans Memorial Middle School, he returned in 2009 to serve as an assistant principal at EHS.

Despite a rocky year, with the death of former principal Dr. Robert Daria and several student-related issues, Cher has high hopes for EHS and the success of its students.

"Currently, our staff analyzes previous and current student performances to determine the effectiveness of classroom instruction and to gauge student learning. With recent changes to school accountability, our efforts are becoming more focused upon results on End Of Course Tests, Advanced Placement Exams, the SAT and the ACT.
While these test scores will directly impact how Eastside is measured, ultimately, we will continue to focus upon equipping our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to experience success in any endeavor after graduation," he said Tuesday.

"The initial goal is to continue the tradition at Eastside High School of providing a safe, structured learning environment that challenges students to reach their highest potential. Beyond that, we will be focused upon improving the rigor of learning experiences and the quality of instruction within each classroom," Cher said. "Our students and staff have traditionally been an integral component of our community. We will continue that tradition with a specific intent to build strong relations with businesses and industries within Newton County to provide greater relevance for our students and their learning."

Cher earned a bachelor's degree in secondary math education from Georgia Southwestern State University, a master's in secondary math education from Piedmont College and a specialist in educational leadership from Argosy University.