BCMS Leadership

Mrs. Miller is an accomplished educator and administrator, entering her 21st year in education and her fifth year as a school principal. She returned to Bay Creek Middle School as Principal in January 2026, bringing a deep historical connection to the school. She previously served Bay Creek as a Charter Member in 2009, working as a Language Arts and Social Studies teacher, and later advanced into leadership as an Assistant Principal. Prior to returning to the Bay Creek community, she spent four years serving as the Principal of Jordan Middle School.

Mrs. Miller began her career within Gwinnett County Public Schools, where she specialized in middle school language arts and social studies instruction. Her extensive career is backed by a robust academic foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Georgia State University, a master’s degree in Reading from Nova Southeastern University, and an Educational Specialist degree from Piedmont College. Additionally, she earned an Educational Leadership certificate from the University of West Georgia, where she holds a Tier II Leadership certification.

Driven by the firm conviction that every child can learn, Mrs. Miller is deeply passionate about ensuring the highest quality of education for all students. She focuses her leadership on actively supporting teachers, students, and parents, collaborating closely with the community to ensure Bay Creek Middle School remains a premier environment for student learning and personal growth.

On a personal note, Mrs. Miller is married and the proud mother of three daughters (Tamara, Taylor, & Tiffany) who all successfully matriculated through the Grayson Cluster. Her family also includes two dogs, Maya and Prince. Outside of her professional dedication to education, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and relaxing at the beach with a good book.

Contact: Melissa.M.Miller@gcpsk12.org

I am thrilled to serve as an Assistant Principal at Bay Creek Middle School!

I have been in education for 16 years. I taught in elementary and middle school for 12 years and I have been in administration for 4 years all at the middle school level. My leadership is driven by the foundational belief that every student can learn when given the right support, environment, and encouragement. My student-centered philosophy guides my work with Special Education, Athletics, and Connections programs. My focus for the 26-27 school year is to connect deeply with families and the local community to build a strong, collaborative support system for all students.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, a Master’s degree from Walden University, and an Educational Specialist degree from Piedmont University. I earned my Tier 1 Leadership Certification from the University of West Georgia to help equip me with strategic skills to support teachers and empower students each day.

Outside of school, I enjoy a busy and rewarding home life with my husband and 16-year-old son, alongside our two crazy dogs. When we find a spare moment, I love crafting, decorating, and binging my favorite shows.

I look forward to meeting you and your family! Go Rams!!

Contact: Makenzie.Barnes@gcpsk12.org

Ms. Tajuanya Darlington proudly serves as Assistant Principal and is committed to fostering a positive, student-centered learning environment where all students can thrive. Throughout her career in education, she has served as a classroom teacher, academic coach, interventionist, and school administrator. These experiences have strengthened her passion for instructional excellence, student achievement, and collaborative leadership.

Ms. Darlington earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), a Master of Science in Reading and Literacy from Walden University, and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University. Her educational background and professional experiences have equipped her to support teachers, empower students, and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement.

As an instructional leader, Ms. Darlington believes every student deserves access to engaging, high-quality instruction and every educator deserves the encouragement, resources, and support needed to be successful. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships with students, staff, families, and the community while maintaining high expectations that inspire growth and achievement. She was born in New York City and raised in Miami, Florida. She currently resides in Loganville.  Shen enjoys reading and traveling.

Ms. Darlington is dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school environment where students are challenged to reach their highest potential academically, socially, and emotionally. She values strong partnerships with families and believes that together, schools and communities can make a lasting impact on the lives of children.

It is a privilege for Ms. Darlington to serve the students, staff, and families of the Bay Creek community, and she looks forward to partnering with all stakeholders to ensure every student has the opportunity to learn, lead, and succeed.

Contact: Tajuanya.Darlington@gcpsk12.org

Hello! I'm Dr. Nakita Foreman, and I have the privilege of serving as the 6th Grade Assistant Principal at Bay Creek Middle School. For more than 20 years, I have been honored to work alongside students, families, and educators in both South Georgia and Gwinnett County, helping to create learning environments where every child feels seen, valued, and supported.

Serving others is at the heart of my leadership philosophy. I am passionate about empowering students to become confident learners, supporting educators as they grow in their craft, and partnering with families to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. Whether I am working with students, partnering with families, or collaborating with teachers, I strive to build meaningful relationships that foster trust, growth, and success.

Education is not only my profession, but it is also a central part of my family. My husband is an educator, and together we are blessed with three children. Our oldest daughter, Mackenzie, is a middle school teacher who shares our passion for helping students grow and succeed. Our daughter, Amber Kate, is entering 5th grade, and our son, Asher, is entering 1st grade. As both an educator and a parent, I deeply understand the importance of strong school-family partnerships and the impact caring adults can have on a child's life.

Leadership Philosophy

"Every student deserves to be known, valued, challenged, and inspired. Through strong relationships, high expectations, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, we can help all students discover their potential, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals."

Contact: Nakita.a.foreman@gcpsk12.org

Quinesha Heard brings 16 years of dedicated educational experience and deep community roots to Bay Creek Middle School. She spent seven years as a classroom teacher before transitioning into leadership, currently serving her ninth year as a middle school assistant principal in Gwinnett.

Quinesha’s extensive expertise spans critical areas of school operations and student success, including behavior support and discipline systems, school safety and security, multi-language learner education, gifted education, and elementary math and science. Committed to advocating for educators and students alike, she is an active member of both the Gwinnett Association of Educators and the Georgia Association of Educators.

Originally from Savannah, Georgia, Quinesha now resides in Dacula with her husband and their 5-year-old daughter. When she isn't supporting students and staff, she channels her creativity into her small business, Quin's Sweet Treats, where she shares her love for baking with the community.

Degrees and Certifications:

16th year in education
Bachelor's Degree- Spelman College- Atlanta, GA
Master's Degree- Albany State University- Albany, GA
Specialist Degree- Valdosta State University- Valdosta, GA
Tier 1 Educational Leadership Certification- University of West, GA- Carrolton, GA

Contact: Quinesha.Heard@gcpsk12.org

Syreeta Ward was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She begins her fourth year as Assistant Principal at Bay Creek Middle School and is very much at home as a Grayson resident. Go Rams! Ms. Ward has also held leadership roles at Norcross High School and Paul Duke STEM High School since 2014. In these positions, she supervised and coached teachers across multiple content areas, led professional learning initiatives, managed school improvement planning, and supported the development of innovative instructional practices such as project-based learning. Before becoming an assistant principal, Ms. Ward served as a K–12 Science Instructional Coach for Gwinnett County Public Schools, where she designed and delivered professional learning, developed teacher leaders, and supported science instruction across the district. She also taught chemistry at Norcross High School, serving as a curriculum leader and mentor to new teachers. Ms. Ward holds an Educational Leadership Tier II Specialist degree and a Master of Arts in Secondary Science Education from the University of Georgia, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has her own Litte Ram, Edward Jr, who is her pride and joy. 

Contact: Syreeta.Ward@gcpsk12.org