Dr. Sherrod D. Willaford, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Sherrod D. Willaford, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, is a transformational educational leader with more than 28 years of dedicated service to public education. From the classroom to the district office, he has served in diverse environments—urban, suburban, and rural—and at every level of K–12 education, including elementary, middle, high school, and central administration. 

Dr. Willaford earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Middle Grades Education from Clark Atlanta University and a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from the State University of West Georgia. He went on to complete his Doctorate in School Improvement from the University of West Georgia. His pursuit of continued professional excellence includes earning certificates from the College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, VA), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement (Roanoke, VA), and Howard University’s School of Education (Washington, D.C.). In 2016, Dr. Willaford became a proud graduate of the inaugural cohort of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Urban Superintendents Academy. 

Leadership in Dooly County 

Dr. Willaford currently serves as Superintendent of the Dooly County School System, where his leadership has been marked by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and measurable improvement. Under his direction, the district successfully completed the Cognia Accreditation process at the highest performance tier, surpassing the national average. He also guided the development and implementation of the district’s new five-year strategic plan, “#MovingForwardtheDoolyWay,” providing a clear blueprint for sustained academic growth and organizational excellence. 

Dr. Willaford’s tenure has been defined by a relentless focus on student achievement, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative leadership. Before being named Superintendent, he served as Principal of Dooly County K–8 Academy (2020–2022), where he led the school’s successful removal from the Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) list of Georgia’s lowest-performing schools. Under his leadership, the elementary school was designated as “Emerging” in PBIS implementation by the Georgia Department of Education and recognized nationally as a “High-Flying School” by the National Youth Advocacy and Resilience (NYAR) Conference, and a “Model School” by the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE). 

Following his success as principal, Dr. Willaford advanced to Executive Director of Operations, later reclassified as Assistant Superintendent of Schools, where he facilitated district-wide capital improvement projects, including significant upgrades to athletic facilities and school infrastructure. 

Career Achievements and School Turnaround Expertise 

Before joining Dooly County Schools, Dr. Willaford held numerous leadership positions across Georgia and Virginia, including principalships at both the elementary and secondary levels and executive leadership roles in district administration. 

In the Randolph County School System, he served as principal of Randolph-Clay Middle School, where student performance on the Georgia Milestones Assessments increased significantly, and the school achieved an “Operational” PBIS designation. As interim principal of North Springs Charter High School in the Fulton County School District, he led the school to distinction as an Advanced Placement (AP) Honor School for exceptional performance in STEM, Humanities, and Access & Support for African American and Hispanic students. 

During his tenure as Executive Director of Schools for Norfolk City Public Schools in Virginia, Dr. Willaford established and led the Office of School Turnaround and Improvement. Under his direction, his portfolio of schools achieved double-digit gains on state assessments for two consecutive years, and the district’s lowest-performing schools made significant progress toward full accreditation. 

Earlier in his career, as principal of C.J. Hicks Elementary School in Rockdale County, Dr. Willaford led the school to notable academic success despite an increasing economically disadvantaged population. The school earned recognition as an American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Model School, a High-Flying School by the National Youth at Risk Conference, and a Title I Distinguished School for multiple consecutive years. It also achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), became a candidate for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program, and received the Superintendent’s “Highest Aspirations” and “Defying the Norm” awards. 

Professional Service and Engagement 

Dr. Willaford is an internationally recognized school improvement specialist and certified mentor for aspiring and new school leaders. He has served as a leadership coach for Columbia University’s Teachers College Summer Principal’s Academy and as a professorial lecturer at George Washington University. 

He remains actively engaged in professional and civic life as a member of several organizations, including the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the Georgia Association for Educational Leaders (GAEL), the Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA), Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK), and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). 

Dr. Willaford is also a proud member of the Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association (Middle Georgia Chapter), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Gamma Sigma Lambda Chapter), the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia (Purity Lodge No. 93) and Kiwanis International (Dooly County). 

Personal Life 

Beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Willaford enjoys attending sporting events, watching movies, and listening to music. He is a devoted husband and proud father of two children.