Melissa Faklaris
Principal
To the Cheatham Hill Elementary Community,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year at Cheatham Hill Elementary! As I begin my third year at The Hill and my 28th year in education, I continue to feel incredibly grateful to serve such an amazing school community. Cheatham Hill is truly a special place filled with dedicated educators, supportive families, and students who inspire us every single day with their kindness, hard work, and enthusiasm for learning.
This year, our school theme is “Own the Journey.” Throughout the year, we will focus on encouraging students to take ownership of their learning, set meaningful goals, challenge themselves, and celebrate growth along the way. We want every student to understand that learning is a journey filled with opportunities to grow, persevere, and discover their potential. Together, we will empower our students to believe in themselves and take pride in the path they are creating for their future.
I am especially grateful to serve in the community where I grew up. As a proud product of the Cobb County School District, I attended Still Elementary, Pine Mountain Middle School, and McEachern High School. The land where Cheatham Hill now sits was farmland throughout my childhood, making my return to this area even more meaningful. My career in education began at McEachern High School as an English teacher, cheerleading coach, and softball coach. I later transferred to Kennesaw Mountain High School where I continued teaching English and served as Head Cheerleading Coach before moving into administration in 2005. I served as an Assistant Principal at both Kennesaw Mountain and North Cobb High Schools before transitioning to elementary leadership at Austell Elementary in 2010. After serving four wonderful years at Austell and eleven years at Frey Elementary, I was honored to become the Principal of Cheatham Hill Elementary.
Outside of school, I am blessed with an incredible family. My husband, Jason, and I have been married for 27 years, and he currently serves as an Assistant Principal at Allatoona High School. We have two wonderful daughters — Emma, who is majoring in Nursing at Georgia College & State University, and Harper, a student leader and proud junior at Allatoona High School. Our family also includes three lovable dogs: Minnie and Jessie, our basset hounds, and Georgia, our energetic English Cream Golden Retriever. We enjoy traveling together, cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, attending concerts and shows, and spending time at the lake with family and friends.
My educational mission is to lead with a servant heart where relationships come first, all kids are treasured, and exemplary education is non-negotiable.
My Core Values are
Respect, Empathy, Trust, and Communication are the pillars of positive relationships.
Every kid…Every day.
Laugh every day.
Show grace.
Love one another.
Above all else, be Kind 💚
I look forward to partnering with you as we begin another incredible year together. Let’s make this a year of growth, goal setting, perseverance, and success as we all learn to “Own the Journey!”
Melissa Faklaris
Dr. Tina Stevens-Carty
Assistant Principal
I am thrilled to continue serving as the Assistant Principal at Cheatham Hill Elementary School. As I begin my ninth year in this role, I remain deeply honored to work alongside the incredible students, dedicated staff, and supportive families that make up the Cheatham Hill community.
My journey in education began 18 years ago in the Cobb County School District. I started in 2007 as a Professional School Counselor, a role I held for a decade. After completing the Cobb County Leadership Academy, I felt inspired to expand my impact and pursue leadership as an Assistant Principal.
Cheatham Hill Elementary is a school known for its unwavering commitment to putting students first—a mission that aligns perfectly with my own values. I look forward to another year of collaboration, growth, and continued success with our school community.
Dr. Aunquize Perkins
Assistant Principal
It is with great excitement and gratitude that I begin my second year serving as Assistant Principal at Cheatham Hill Elementary School. It has been a privilege to be part of this incredible school community, and I am honored to continue partnering with our students, families, staff, and community members to ensure every child has an exceptional educational experience.
I am passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for students to learn, grow, and make memories that will last a lifetime. I firmly believe that together we can accomplish great things, and I look forward to continuing our collaborative work to support the success of every student at Cheatham Hill.
I bring eighteen years of experience in education and have been fortunate to serve in a variety of roles, including 3rd grade teacher, 4th grade teacher, K–6 Learning Disabilities Resource teacher, 4th/5th Cross Categorical teacher, 4th grade team lead, 2nd grade interrelated teacher, PBIS Coach, School Leadership Intern, and Assistant Principal. Prior to joining Cheatham Hill Elementary School, I served as Assistant Principal at Powder Springs Elementary School. Before relocating to Georgia in 2015, I spent six years teaching in South Carolina.
My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Education in Learning Disabilities from Francis Marion University; an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Administration; and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Administration from South Carolina State University. I believe that every day presents an opportunity to learn and grow, and I remain committed to lifelong learning and continuous improvement.
Outside of school, I enjoy traveling, listening to music, and spending quality time with family and friends. As I enter my second year at Cheatham Hill Elementary School, I am excited to continue building strong relationships and working alongside our dedicated staff and families to create an outstanding learning environment for all students.
I look forward to another wonderful year of learning, growth, and success at Cheatham Hill Elementary School!
