Oxford resident Dr. Nancy Sharpe Strawbridge was recently regonized by the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals as one of 16 chosen through its Georgia Distinguished Principal program.

Strawbridge, principal at Bay Creek Elementary School in Walton County, was chosen from GAESP's district 2.

Principals selected in the GDP program go on to complete for state and national recognition.

Strawbridge began her career as an elementary music specialist. She has been both an Instructional Lead Teacher and an Assistant Principal. Under her leadership as principal, Bay Creek Elementary School and Strawbridge have been recognized by the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals for outstanding programs in tutoring and kindergarten orientation. The school was designated as a "Platinum School" by the Georgia Governor's Office of Student Achievement for outstanding overall academic performance. In her seventh year as principal of the school, Mrs. Strawbridge is dedicated to building a high performance working and learning environment grounded in high expectations and a culture of learning for all.

Strawbridge grew up in the county seat town of Hohenwald, Tenn. and graduated from Lewis County High School. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, Temple University and Georgia State University. She holds an earned doctorate in Leadership, Policy and Organizations from Vanderbilt University.

Strawbridge is President of District 2 of the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals. She is a recipient of the 2007 Worth McClure Award from the American Association of School Administrators, recognized for her outstanding scholarship, work accomplishments and contributions to the community. The award and a cash prize were presented at the AASA National Conference in New Orleans in March of 2007. She has also been recognized by the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders as a recipient of the Yates Scholarship for Graduate Education in 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Strawbridge and her husband, Dan, reside in Oxford with their basset hounds, Max, Ali, and Bruce. Mr. Strawbridge is principal of the middle school and upper school divisions at The Gatewood School, an independent school in Eatonton, Georgia. The Strawbridges are active in the United Methodist Church. Their sons are college students-Dodson at Emory University in Atlanta, John at the University of West Georgia, and William at Georgia Perimeter College.