From left, Sheanoka Almon; top right, Chuck Robinson; and bottom right, Paul Fitz-Simons.
The Carroll County Board of Education approved a number of personnel changes at its January 12 meeting including a new leader for 12 for Life, the system’s landmark partnership with Southwire, and a new athletic director at Central High School.
Current Central High School Assistant Principal Sheanoka Almon will succeed retiring 12 for Life administrator Joel Grubbs who has been leading the program since 2018.
Almon has been an assistant principal since 2022, first at Sharp Creek Elementary and then at Central High since 2024.
She has taught both math and science at multiple grade levels and is a STEM-certified educator. She holds an associate degree from West Georgia Technical College, a bachelor’s degree in special education from Mercer University, a master’s in education from Mercer and an educational specialist degree in curriculum and instruction from LaGrange College.
“I am honored to serve as 12 For Life Coordinator,” Almon said. “In this role, I am committed to building systems that change outcomes—connecting education, employability skills, and relationships that prepare students for success beyond graduation. For me, it’s deeply personal: it’s my chance to do for students what my teachers once did for me—to see their potential, create opportunities, and inspire belief in themselves.”
12 for Life was established in 2007 to provide a unique opportunity for high school students to work inside a Southwire facility while continuing their education. The program connects classroom experiences to the real world while teaching the importance of a strong work ethic, excellent attendance, exemplary behavior, positive attitude and teamwork.
Central High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Chuck Robinson has been named transportation coordinator, replacing Charles Johnson, who is retiring.
Robinson will be working closely with Transportation Director Shawn Bissell to ensure the safe and timely transport of Carroll County students on nearly 140 bus routes each school day and almost 4,000 field trips each year.
Robinson has spent his entire career in Carroll County, with experience as a teacher, baseball and softball coach and administrator beginning in 2000 at Villa Rica High School. He has been serving as an assistant principal at Central High since 2019 and as athletic director for the last five years.
Robinson holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Georgia, a master’s from LaGrange College and an educational specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University.
Central High School will have a new Assistant Principal and Athletic Director in Paul Fitz-Simons who comes to the system after a year in the same position at Heard County High School and almost a decade in a similar role at Carrollton High School.
Fitz-Simons has experience managing large and complex school athletic programs ensuring alignment between system and school priorities and Georgia High School Association compliance.
“It is truly a ‘full circle’ moment for me to be able to come back home and work at Central High School,” Fitz-Simons said. “I have so many fond memories of the place where I grew up, graduated high school, and also where I started my career in education. I look forward to continuing to build on the legacy of so many great educators who have come before me.”
Prior to roles in administration, Fitz-Simons taught both special education and physical education. He has high school head coaching experience in basketball and lacrosse. As an athletic director, he has launched multiple new GHSA programs and guided teams to nine state titles and over 100 region championships.
Fitz-Simons is an NIAAA-Certified Athletic Administrator and has been named both state and region athletic director of the year multiple times by the Georgia Athletic Directors Association. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Jacksonville State University and an educational specialist degree from Columbus State University.
“We are pleased to have excellent candidates in Sheanoka, Chuck, and Paul to lead in such important roles for our system,” Cowart said. “We are always evaluating our work to find new ways to elevate performance, and I know each of these leaders has what it takes to be difference-makers in their new positions.
