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Dr. Gabriel Zaragoza
Principal
Dr. Zaragoza was appointed as principal of Hopkins Elementary on September 19, 2019. Dr. Zaragoza received a bachelor's degree in International Affairs from the University of Georgia, a Master's degree in Urban Teacher Leadership from Georgia State University, and a Specialist's degree in Educational Leadership from Kennesaw State University. In the spring of 2023, Dr. Zaragoza completed his PhD program at Mercer University and received his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.
He has held numerous positions in the education field in the metro Atlanta area. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Teach for America. Then he was a bilingual teacher and administrator at Clayton County's Unidos Dual Language Charter School until accepting his job as an assistant principal at Baldwin Elementary in 2016 in Gwinnett County Public Schools in the Norcross Cluster.
As principal of Hopkins Elementary, Dr. Zaragoza places a strong emphasis on academics, while using his skills and expertise to support students, families, school staff, and the community.
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Mrs. Jacqueline Graham
Assistant Principal
Jackie Graham has served as a GCPS Elementary School Assistant Principal at Hopkins Elementary for 17 years, and a Middle School Assistant Principal in NY for 3 years. She taught self-contained special education for 3 years and interrelated resource for 8 years in New York State. Upon moving to Gwinnett, Mrs. Graham taught interrelated resource at Arcado Elementary for 1 year, before coming to Hopkins as an Assistant Principal. Mrs. Graham holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Secondary Education from the State University of NY, a Master's Degree in Special Education from the State University of NY, an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont University, and School Leadership Certification from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Mrs. Graham and her husband are the proud parents of 3 GCPS graduates, who have all graduated from college. Mrs. Graham is passionate about children, learning, and diverse cultures. When not working, Jackie enjoys reading, dancing, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.
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Ms. Lisa Bevens
Assistant Principal
Lisa Bevens has spent her entire teaching career within Gwinnett County Schools. She has taught 1st, 2nd & 3rd grades, K-5 Interrelated Resource, and supported K-5 students and teachers as an RTI/SST Coordinator and a Local School Technology Coordinator. She spent time in the Meadowcreek, Berkmar and Collins Hill clusters before coming to Hopkins in Fall 2020 as an Assistant Principal. She is thrilled to be back in the Berkmar Cluster and is looking forward to getting to know Hopkins students and families better throughout the upcoming years!
Ms. Bevens received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with an ESOL Endorsement from Toccoa Falls College; her master's degree in Elementary Reading and Math from Walden University; an Educational Specialist’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Kennesaw State University and an Educational Leadership certificate from University of West Georgia.
Ms. Bevens and her husband have 3 children, whom they call “The Heroes”. Her two older children attend Hopkins and her youngest can’t wait to join them in a few short years! She loves to read, experiment with recipes in her kitchen, travel to new places, watch movies, embarrass her children, and spend time with her family and friends.
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Dr. Melissa Cable
Assistant Principal
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Dr. Leslie Retchko
Assistant Principal
Leslie Retchko is an assistant principal at Hopkins Elementary. She is excited to be working with elementary students supporting their early learning foundation. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked at a reading school teaching remedial reading to struggling students. She began her GCPS career at GIVE Center East as a high school science and math teacher. She has served in many leadership positions over the years including high school math chair, instructional coach, and New Hope Academy working with over-aged students. She believes in the importance in building relationships with students, parents, and staff to support students’ learning.
Dr. Retchko earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech in Industrial Management, a master’s in teaching from Armstrong Atlantic with a specialty in special education, and a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Walden University. She has a reading endorsement from Ga State, an educational leadership certificate from Mercer University, and a coaching endorsement from Kennesaw State University.
Dr. Retchko and her husband have 4 children and 3 grandchildren who are in grades K, 2, and 4. She loves reading, swimming, and spending time with friends and family.
