Mt. Yonah Community,
It is an honor to serve once again as the proud Principal, and parent, at Mt. Yonah
Elementary School for the 2025–2026 school year.
I began my journey in education in 2006, serving as a teacher , assistant principal,
and now principal. However , my connection to Mt. Yonah goes back even further. In
2005, I completed my student teaching here in 3rd grade, and it still feels like
coming home every day.
My background includes degrees from Gainesville College, Piedmont University,
and the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), as well as endorsements in ESOL and
Tier II Leadership. I am currently pursuing my Dyslexia Endorsement to deepen my
understanding of how we can better support all learners. I will also begin my
doctoral studies in the Fall of 2025. I firmly believe in continuous growth and
learning.
I’m also a proud wife to Roger and mom to two amazing boys, Nolan, a 7th grader
at WCMS, and Rhett, a 5th grader right here at Mt. Yonah.
This year , our theme is “Embrace the Climb”, a message that reflects our collective
commitment to growth, resilience, and joy in the journey. Whether it’s a
challenging concept in class or a moment of character growth, we believe every
step matters. Our staff is focused on ensuring students are not only supported
but stretched to reach new heights.
At Mt. Yonah, we continue to grow as a Leader in Me school. This whole-school
framework empowers students to take ownership of their learning and leadership.
We teach and model the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, helping our Bears
lead with purpose, confidence, and compassion, both in and out of the classroom.
In addition, we are a proud PBIS school, where we emphasize the importance of
being Respectful, Responsible, and Ready every single day. These values, paired
with leadership development, are the foundation of the strong, positive culture
that makes Mt. Yonah an exceptional place to learn and grow.
To our families and community, thank you. Your partnership, encouragement, and
trust mean the world to us. I invite you to climb with us this year as we support our
students in reaching their full potential.
Humbly serving you,
Juliana Dean
Principal, Mt. Yonah Elementary