Dr. Sonya Kiefer was named the principal of Lake Joy Primary School during the Houston County Board of Education meeting held March 8, 2022. She began her new role as principal in June 2022.
Dr. Kiefer served as Assistant Principal for Instruction at Lake Joy Primary School since December 2015. She was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Kiefer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Our Lady of the Lake University. In 2006, she relocated to Houston County where she began her teaching career at Lake Joy Primary School. In 2010, she graduated with a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College and State University. Dr. Kiefer continued her graduate studies and earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Mercer University in 2013. She also holds an Educational Leadership Certificate.
Dr. Kiefer has taught grades Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade at LJPS. She has also taught early childhood college courses to pre-service teachers at Mercer University. Dr. Kiefer was selected as the Lake Joy Primary School Teacher of the Year and a Top Five Finalist for the Houston County Teacher of the Year for the 2012-2013 school year. Dr. Kiefer is bilingual in English and Spanish. She is married with two children and enjoys spending time with her family. Dr. Kiefer is proud to work with amazing educators and families to support such wonderful students.
Mrs. Morgan Aeschlimann, Assistant Principal for Instruction
Mrs. Aeschlimann is a native of Houston County and a product of the Houston County School district. She has taught in the Houston County School District for 16 years. Mrs. Aeschlimann has experience teaching first grade, third grade, fifth grade, and English for Speakers of Other Languages. She enjoys seeing students grow year after year and building relationships with the students and families at school.
In 2006, Mrs. Aeschlimann earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College and State University and began teaching. In 2008, she graduated with a Master’s degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy from Walden University. In 2011, she earned a Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Georgia College and State University. Mrs. Aeschlimann has additional certifications in Educational Leadership, Teaching Support and Coaching, Gifted Education, and English for Speakers of Other Languages. She is currently working on a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Valdosta State University. Mrs. Aeschlimann was the Teacher of the Year for Eagle Springs Elementary in 2019-2020.
Mrs. Aeschlimann and her husband, Chris, have been married for 16 years and they have three children. She enjoys spending time outside and creating memories with her family.
Mr. Cameron Barronton, Assistant Principal of Discipline
Mr. Cameron Barronton graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State University in 2009. He also earned his Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College and a Specialist in Teacher Leadership from Georgia College and State University. He began his teaching career at Lake Joy Primary in 2011 as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher. He has also served as the Alternative School teacher at Lake Joy Primary and has spent the last 7 years teaching 2nd grade. Mr. Barronton was the 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year at Lake Joy Primary, and a Houston County Top 10 Teacher of the Year.
Creating a safe learning environment for teachers, students, and their families is one of Mr. Barronton's top priorities. His goal is to make Lake Joy a great place to learn every day and continue to strive for the precedence of excellence that has been established at both the school and in Houston County. He is a big propionate of STEAM education, technology in education, and helping all students reach their full potential.
