Administration

Greetings,

It is with great pride and excitement that I am able to serve as principal of Deerwood Academy!  I bring to this position more than twenty years of experience in education working as a teacher and administrator at the elementary and middle school levels.  At Deerwood Academy, we believe that all students can learn at high levels with proper support from all staff. We work collaboratively and take collective responsibility to ensure the success of each student.  With that in mind, I truly believe that all students can achieve academic success with the right guidance and support in an environment that embraces a high level of safety and high academic expectations for all.  I am confident that the key ingredient to success is instilling the habit of reading, incorporating critical thinking skills, building positive relationships, promoting innovation and building student and staff leadership capacity. 

One of my goals is to work with you as a partner in education to ensure your child’s success. Along with staff, I will work hard to continue the expectation of excellence and success established at Deerwood Academy by building strong relationships with students, parents, staff, and community partners.  It is my sincere desire to provide leadership that facilitates an environment that provides authentic learning experiences that nurture and empower college and career ready global thinkers and problem solvers as stated in our mission. 

I anticipate a most successful year as we support the academic, social, and emotional growth of every child at Deerwood Academy.  Overall, I look forward to a productive year of “creating excellence by building relationships and promoting innovation” during the 2026-2027 school year!

Sincerely,

Joy S. Antone
joy.antone@atlanta.k12.ga.us. 

 

Greetings Deerwood Academy Families, Staff, and Community,

It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce myself as the Assistant Principal of Deerwood Academy. I am honored to join this exceptional school community and excited to partner with our dedicated educators, supportive families, and outstanding scholars as we begin the 2026–2027 school year.

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and both a Specialist and Doctoral Degree in Instructional Leadership. Throughout my 27 years in education, I have had the privilege of serving in a variety of roles, including elementary classroom teacher (K–5), Early Intervention Program (EIP) Team Lead, Direct Instruction Facilitator, Instructional Coach, Instructional Leadership Team member, Care Team member, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Team member, and Afterschool Cyber-Stars facilitator. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to student achievement and prepared me to serve the Deerwood Academy community.

My educational philosophy is rooted in creating authentic, engaging learning experiences that develop critical thinkers, problem solvers, and globally-minded citizens. I believe every child deserves to learn in an environment where they feel valued, challenged, supported, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. Building strong relationships with students, staff, families, and community partners is the foundation of a positive and successful school culture.

As Assistant Principal, my goal is to support the academic, social, and emotional growth of every scholar while maintaining the high standards of excellence for which Deerwood Academy is known. Through equitable learning opportunities, meaningful data analysis, and research-based instructional practices, we will continue to provide engaging learning experiences that foster confidence, curiosity, and lifelong success.

I firmly believe that the strongest schools are built through collaboration. By working together with our families, teachers, staff, and community partners, we can create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every scholar is equipped to become college, career, and life ready.

As we embark on this exciting school year, I look forward to getting to know each of you and learning more about the unique strengths, traditions, and aspirations of our Deerwood Academy community. Your voice, partnership, and support are invaluable, and I am committed to listening, learning, and working alongside you to build upon the strong foundation that already exists.

Together, we will continue to create a school culture where every scholar is inspired to learn, every educator is empowered to lead, and every family feels welcomed, respected, and connected.

Thank you for welcoming me into the Deerwood Academy family. I am truly excited about the journey ahead and the opportunity to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of our students.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Yaasmeen Shahid
Assistant Principal Deerwood Academy