July 14, 2025—When Wheeler High School students return to the classroom in August, there will be a new leader in the principal’s office, a leader who brings two decades of service to East Cobb students. 

As a 22-year veteran educator, all within the Cobb County School District, Principal Sara Fetterman brings deep experience and a student-centered philosophy to Wheeler. 

Most recently, Principal Fetterman supported students and educators nearby at Sprayberry High School. Her leadership has been shaped by years in the classroom, including as a Kell High School math and science teacher, coach, and administrator. She’s excited to bring that full-circle experience to Wheeler. 

“I believe that students are more successful in an environment where they feel safe and valued. Teachers and staff need to ensure that they build relationships with students to understand the outside influences that affect learning,” shared Principal Fetterman. “It is important to me that we create an environment of mutual respect between students and teachers.” 

Get to know more about Principal Fetterman and her vision for Wheeler High School in the question-and-answer profile below. 

Question: Why are you excited about joining the Wheeler High School community?

Answer: “I am so excited to have a new opportunity to lead Wheeler High School. Wheeler has a history of both academic and athletic excellence, and I hope to help continue that success in the future. I look forward to working with the students, parents, and community to help grow the existing programs and find ways to improve in the future.” 

Question: What does “student success” mean to you?

Answer: “For some students, success means high grades in their academic classes. For others, it means fluency in a world language, excelling in fine arts, or achieving on the athletic field. It’s important to remember that every student is different—what success looks like for one child may be completely different for another.” 

Question: What role do you see parents and the community playing in supporting student success?

Answer: “Schools cannot survive without the support of parents and the surrounding community. We cannot put a price on the time that our community volunteers give to Wheeler. Even recently, local churches provided assistance to help clean up Wheeler's campus. Parents are already assisting with setting up our programs for the fall semester, and partnerships with community organizations help us to better support our struggling families. This support directly contributes to student success.” 

Question: What do you like most about being an educator and principal? 

Answer: “My favorite memories as an educator are always focused on students. As a coach for 11 years, I cherished the relationships I had with my players outside the classroom. As a teacher, I loved seeing students who struggled in math find success for the first time. Now, as a principal, I’m proud to see students walk across the stage at graduation, ready for their next journey into adulthood.” 

Question: Outside of school, where might parents and students find you?

Answer: “I love to go to live sporting events. I have lived in Georgia most of my life and love the Braves. Unfortunately, I married a Phillies fan - so we are truly a house divided during baseball season.”