Meet Our Administative Team
Dr. Matt Stratemeyer, Principal
Dr. Matt Stratemeyer is entering his second year as the principal of East Jackson Comprehensive High School. He began his teaching career at Peachtree Ridge High School, where he was a social studies teacher, basketball coach, and interim athletic director. In 2016, he started as an assistant principal at Mountain View High School, a role he held for six years.
Dr. Stratemeyer graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree and later earned his master’s degree from Grand Canyon University. He later returned to the University of Georgia, earning his Doctorate in Education Leadership in 2017.
Dr. Stratemeyer resides in Jackson County with his wife, Ashley. They have one son, Camden, and one daughter, Kaitlyn.
Ms. Julie Crouch, Assistant Principal
Ms. Julie Crouch is one of four assistant principals here at East Jackson Comprehensive High School, along with being the beloved student support and testing coordinator for grades 9-12. She began her career in education the same year EJCHS opened in 2007 as a student teacher and went on to become a member of the Social Studies department that same school year. She taught for eight years and served in a variety of school-level leadership roles before transitioning to EJCHS's Counseling Department in 2016, where she continued dutifully serving East Jackson students and families until being named an Assistant Principal at EJCHS beginning in the 2018-2019 school year until the present. Ms. Crouch has a B.S. in Social Studies Education from The University of North Georgia, a Master's degree in Post-Secondary Education from Troy University, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Policy and Administration from The University of Georgia. Ms. Crouch has two proud East Jackson Eaglets, and when not running around the EJCHS campus, can be found at youth sporting events, UGA athletics, running, lifting weights, and enjoying her family and friends. Recent LunchTime Live karaoke appearances, hula-hoop shenanigans, and guess that tune facilitations have earned her the distinction of being the best part of lunch on Fridays.
Ms. Jessie Wood, Assistant Principal
Ms. Jessie Wood works as the 8th grade assistant principal. She taught Georgia Studies for 8 years, along with English Language Arts for a few of those years. She has also taught Civics and Economics. She has previously served as the social studies department chair as well as the district lead for social studies. Her own educational journey began at Young Harris College where she received an associate's degree before going to the University of Georgia to earn a B.A. in Political Science. Ms. Wood then attended Georgia State and earned a M.A.T. in Secondary Social Studies Education. She also has a specialist's degree from Piedmont University. Ms. Wood and her family are proud to live and work in Jackson County.
Mr. Shawn Lindsey, Assistant Principal
Shawn Lindsey is from Sandersville, Georgia, where he graduated from Washington County High School. In 1999, he received his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia. Shawn also attended the University of Alabama and earned his masters degree in Health Sciences in 2005. In 2009, he received his educational specialist degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. He began teaching in the Jackson County School System in 1999. Mr. Lindsey has taught Health & PE and has coached a variety of sports teams at West Jackson Middle School, Jackson County Comprehensive High School, Kings Bridge Middle School, and well as East Jackson Comprehensive High School. This is Mr. Lindsey’s 9th year as the Assistant Principal. He is married to Angel Beatty Lindsey of Jefferson and they have two sons, Logan and Luke.
Mrs. Laura Droms, Assistant Principal
Laura Droms serves as the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction. Prior to becoming an administrator, she taught Spanish for 22 years and served as a department chair for 12 years. She has extensive experience designing world language curriculum resources, staff development, and assessments. Mrs. Droms earned her Bachelor of Science in Foreign Language Education from the University of Georgia. She continued her education earning a Masters in Foreign Language Education from Auburn University and a Specialist degree in Exemplary Teaching from Valdosta State University. Mrs. Droms has a passion for student leadership and enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and their two children.
Mr. Steven McGarvey, Assistant Principal — Lighthouse
Mr. McGarvey brings over two decades of diverse education experience to his role as Site Coordinator and Behavior Specialist for the Lighthouse Program at East Jackson High School, a proud member of the Georgia Network of Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS). Throughout his career, Mr. McGarvey has taught various levels of high school and middle school, cultivating an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.
His professional journey includes significant contributions to several program start-ups, notably Shepherd's Hill Academy, a residential program in northeast Georgia, and Summit Academy, an alternative school within Franklin County. Most recently, Mr. McGarvey dedicated his expertise to the special education community at The Futures Center (GNETS) in Cornelia, Georgia, where he worked with a diverse group of students, offering tailored educational strategies and support. Mr. McGarvey earned his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a focus on History from Toccoa Falls College. He furthered his education with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction specialization in Special Education. Outside of his professional endeavors, Mr. McGarvey cherishes his family life. He is a proud father to four children, a supportive father-in-law to one, and has celebrated 27 wonderful years of marriage with his wife. Together, they enjoy nurturing a loving and dynamic family environment.
Mr. Wesley Wheeler, Athletic Director
Wesley Wheeler officially began his tenure as the athletic director at East Jackson High School on June 1, 2024. Wheeler is a Jackson County native, and has served in the East Jackson community in various educational positions since 2006. Wheeler first began as a special education teacher at East Jackson Middle School, serving there until 2015, when he moved to the physical education department at East Jackson High School. During his time at EJHS, Wheeler has coached football and track and field, while assisting former athletic director and current EJHS assistant principal Shawn Lindsey in athletic department duties. Wheeler was named the EJHS Teacher of the Year in 2022 and was a finalist for the award in 2019. Wheeler graduated from Jackson County Comprehensive High School in 1999, earning a full athletic scholarship in football to Elon University. He was named to the Jackson County High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.