Principal - Candace Haynes

Mrs. Candace Haynes, Principal

My name is Candace Haynes, and I am the very proud principal of Lawrenceville Elementary School, where students are Today's Learners and Tomorrow's Leaders. I’ve been part of the Black Knight community for 11 years, and this school year marks my third as principal of LES—a role I cherish deeply in a community I truly love.

With 30 years of experience in education, I remain energized by the work I get to do each day. The most rewarding part of this profession is empowering students to reach their goals of independence and to achieve at the highest possible levels. I also believe strongly in the importance of involving families and community members in our students’ education, as this partnership creates the best opportunities for success.

At the heart of my leadership is a commitment to equity. I strive to create a learning environment where every student can thrive and feel a true sense of belonging. It’s important to me that everyone who enters our building is treated with dignity and respect.

Teachers hold a special place in my heart. I deeply value their dedication and recognize how vital they are to student success. I believe that what we do in our school is more than a job—it’s a meaningful, fulfilling, and important calling. That’s why I prioritize our core mission of teaching and learning and work to protect instructional time. Equally important is supporting our teachers’ well-being by encouraging self-care and time to connect with their own families after the school day ends.

In addition to being a GCPS employee, I’m also a GCPS parent. My most important role is being a wife to my husband of 30 years and a mom to our five children—all “homegrown” GCPS students. Our youngest is currently a sixth-grade Black Knight.

When parents walk through our doors, I understand the mix of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and pride—because I’ve felt them too. I’ve found that parents and I share two essential expectations: that students are treated with kindness and that they are challenged to reach their highest potential. Together, we can help our students achieve great things.

I look forward to a fantastic, successful, and impactful school year with you!

Your Proud Principal,
Candace Haynes