Having lived and worked in metro Atlanta for several years, the 32-year-old South Carolina native was struck by the area's "unique diversity and hometown atmosphere."

McCullough achieved his dream April 14, when he officially started work as the principal of the new Gainesville Elementary School. The school off McEver and Spring roads opens this fall.

"I am extremely excited at the opportunity to open a new school. I see nothing but good things in store," said McCullough during a visit last week to Enota Elementary. "It's a chance to build a collaboration between the school and the community from the ground up."

He said the city system's progressive vision for education, including its move toward programs of choice in the schools, was a drawing card.

"I really feel (the city) has the right idea and the school system is headed toward being a premier school system in Georgia," McCullough said.

Starting in the fall, when the system expands to five elementary schools from three, children will attend the school that they and their parents have selected as best matching their interests. Each school will emphasize a particular program or academic style.

McCullough's school will be known as the "Exploration Academy," which will focus on technology and hands-on science and math activities.

Superintendent Steven Ballowe said McCullough, who has served in assistant principal positions in Lilburn and Marietta, brings to the city "a level of administrative experience that is very beneficial to us."

As a sidelight to his career in education, McCullough has traveled nationwide as a keynote speaker and consultant to schools on such issues as cultural diversity and parent and community outreach.

He said he has provided training on how systems can ensure that all students, but particularly ethnically diverse ones, are successful.

"I saw as a child the challenges that ethnic minorities ... face in America and I knew education was the only way for minorities to be successful. Education is power," said McCullough, whose mother is half-Spanish, half-Filipino.

"One of the biggest attractions to coming here is the wide diversity we serve," he said.

Nearly half of Gainesville City Schools' student population is Latino.

Greg Bautista, a local Latino activist, said he applauded the school system for hiring McCullough. "(The system) is demonstrating dedication to serving the entire community," he said.

Personally, Bautista said he's impressed by McCullough's energy and passion.

"He's a top-notch expert in his field and I think ... Gainesville is blessed," Bautista said. "I know we are all going to learn a lot from his expertise, from his skills."

McCullough, who is working toward his doctorate at the University of Georgia in Athens, said he believes his school, in turn, has a lot to offer the community.

The school will provide language, literacy and other classes for parents of students learning English as a second language, he said.

"I think it's important for us to establish a strong partnership with the surrounding community. I want the school to be the center of the community. I want the entire Gainesville community to feel that's their school."

In the meantime, though, McCullough's school is still under construction from its perch off McEver Road. The work is set to be finished in time for the first day of school Aug. 8.

McCullough said he wants the school to hold the highest expectations for student achievement. "Children will rise to your level of expectation, and we will accept nothing less than excellence."

E-mail: jgill@gainesvilletimes.com

Originally published Tuesday, April 22, 2003