Email Mrs. Melanie Johnson

Mrs. Johnson has dedicated the past 23 years to education, with 17 of those years serving the students and families of Lowndes County Schools. For the past 7 years, Mrs. Johnson has served as the Assistant Principal and most recently the Principal of Dewar Elementary School, where she focused on fostering a positive school culture, building strong instructional teams, and supporting student success. 

Mrs. Johnson began her career as a classroom teacher in grades 2, 3, and 5, where she cultivated a passion for academic excellence and student growth. Her dedication to teaching earned her multiple honors, including being named Lake Park Elementary School Teacher of the Year, North Brooks Elementary School Teacher of the Year, and Brooks County School System Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Johnson is married and the proud mother of three children—one a recent graduate of Lowndes County Schools and two who currently attend schools in the district. She is excited to join the Westside Elementary family and looks forward to continuing her journey of service and student-centered excellence.

Email Mr. John Robbins

Hello! My name is John Robbins, and I’m excited to join the Westside Elementary family as I begin my 27th year in education. My wife, Jodi, and I have three sons—Jack (15), Bo (12), and Joe Brady (5)—who keep us on our toes and bring so much joy to our lives.

I’m honored to be part of the WES community and look forward to supporting the continued growth and success of both our staff and students. I can’t wait to see all we’ll accomplish together this year!

Email Mrs. Sarah Merriman

Hi! I’m Sarah Merriman, and I’m thrilled to join the Westside Elementary family as your assistant principal. As a proud product of the Lowndes County School System and a dedicated supporter of the Mighty Vikings, it’s an honor to serve the community that helped shape who I am.

I bring 16 years of experience in education, including 13 years teaching middle grades at Hahira Middle School and the past 3 years as assistant principal at Hahira Elementary School. I hold a Master’s degree in Education from Valdosta State University and a Specialist degree in Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University. I also earned my Tier 1 and Tier 2 leadership certifications from Thomas University.

I’ve been married to my husband, Austin, for 20 years, and we are proud parents to two wonderful daughters, Audrey and Molly. I’m passionate about building strong relationships, supporting teachers, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.

I look forward to an incredible year working alongside the students, families, and staff at Westside Elementary!