Project Description
Dr. Andrew Lovett, Fellow
Frederick Wilson Benteen Elementary School
Atlanta, GA
Dr. Andrew Lovett, Jr. began his career 20 years ago in the Atlanta Public School System as a high school math teacher through Teach for America’s 2003 Atlanta Corps. During his career in Atlanta Public Schools, he has served as a teacher, district level instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. Under his 6 years of transformational leadership, Benteen Elementary School has become an Authorized International Baccalaureate World School offering the PYP Curriculum and a Spanish Dual Language Immersion School. Additionally, Benteen has earned honors as a Beating the Odds School for their achievement on Georgia’s standardized testing. He has been featured in the spring 2010 edition of the Atlanta Educator, on APS Today for his innovative teaching styles and ability to inspire his students towards greatness, on NPR for his efforts in turning around Benteen ES, and on numerous panels for his work in building a strong, positive school culture. Dr. Lovett is also a 2019 Winner of the Teach on Project and was awarded funds to implement his project, Building Brilliant Biliterate Reader, to increase schoolwide biliteracy and opportunities for parents to engage in reading activities within their child's classroom. He believes that children are our greatest resource and have the potential to change the world! Dr. Lovett is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, Emory University, and Mercer University.
Dr. Christian Padgett, Ally
Assistant Principal
Frederick Wilson Benteen Elementary School
Atlanta, GA
Dr. Christian S. L. Padgett is an assistant principal with Atlanta Public Schools. In his four years as an assistant principal, he has helped to lead Benteen Elementary School to grow its Dual Language Immersion program as well as the authorization of the International Baccalaureate Programme Primary Years Program. Dr. Padgett believes every student can learn and it is our duty as educators to help them believe and demonstrate their brilliance. Dr. Padgett is a native of Savannah, Georgia. He has worked in a variety of roles before becoming an assistant principal including, teacher and school improvement coach. He has his bachelor's degree from Georgia State University (Go Panthers) in Early Childhood Education. Based on his great experience, he decided to go back to GSU and earn his master's in Elementary Education. Working with others and helping to lead his team and as a school instructional lead, saw the need to learn more about educational leadership. Padgett holds his educational specialist and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University! In his spare time, Dr. Padgett loves to run and try new restaurants.