Dr. Cassandra Hopkins has 34 years of experience in public education.  She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Biology and Psychology in 1989.  She began her teaching career at Forest Park High School.  She obtained her Master of Education Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from West Georgia College in 1995.   Dr. Hopkins began her teaching career as a science teacher and cheerleading coach. Five years later, she became an assistant principal.   She served as an assistant principal at one high and two elementary schools in Clayton County.  She later served as principal at Lee Street, River’s Edge Elementary, Rex Mill Middle and lastly McGarrah Elementary school. She also served as Coordinator of Special Projects for Clayton County Public Schools.  Dr. Hopkins obtained her Doctorate Degree from Nova Southwestern University in 2001.

Dr. Hopkins has set and enforced high expectations both academically and behaviorally for thousands of students in this school system.  She has successfully implemented the “rollout” of the Reading First program in one of Clayton County Public Schools.  Schools under her leadership achieved and maintained state recognition as “School of Distinction” while she served as principal.  She believes “when one fails, we all fail” because it requires all of us working together daily to educate our scholars.  In addition, Dr. Hopkins mentors principals and assistant principals in the county using the Leadership Performance Preparation Coach (LPPC) model.  She recently facilitated a Learning to Lead class which helps aspiring teachers who want to become administrators.  

Dr. Hopkins was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools with the Department of Teaching and Learning & Strategic Improvement in April, 2023. All 34 years of service in public education have been in the Clayton County Public School System.