Dr. Christopher Garretson
Assistant Professor
Teacher Education, Leadership & Counseling
Academic Areas
- Leadership
- School Improvement
- School Climate
Education
- Bachelor of Arts - Michigan State University (English and Secondary Education)
- M. Ed. - Georgia Southern University (English; Administration Add-On)
- Ed. S. - Georgia Southern University (Education Leadership)
- Ed. D. - Georgia Southern University (Education Administration)
Biography
Dr. Chris Garretson is originally from Michigan growing up in a rural farming community
called Oxford. He attended Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor of
Arts majoring in English and in Secondary Education. Two years after graduating, he
moved to Georgia to teach middle school in Putnam County, GA. He was an ELA teacher.
After two years, he moved to Hinesville, GA (Liberty County) where he taught high
school English at Bradwell Institute. After 9 years in the classroom, he received
an Assistant Principal’s position at Bradwell and remained there for another 3 years.
He then received his first principalship at J.R. Trippe Middle School in Vidalia City
Schools. He was there for 2 years when Liberty County called to offer him a principal’s
position at Hinesville Middle. He was the last principal of that school as it was
closed because of the age of the building. He became the principal of Snelson-Golden
Middle and stayed for 8 years. He secured a position at First District RESA in Brooklet
and became a Title I School Improvement Specialist working the Focus Schools and with
the Georgia Department of Education. He retired at 33 years in education and began
his fourth chapter of education teaching at Columbus State University.
His interests involve school improvement, student academic success, school climate,
and building principal capacity and sustainability.
