Suzette Godwin, Principal
Ms. Suzette Godwin has worked in Santa Rosa District Schools since 1993. She has served in several schools in our district and worked as the Assistant Principal at W. H. Rhodes for four years before transferring to Russell Elementary as Assistant Principal. In 2013, she was named Principal.
Ms. Godwin holds a M. ED., Educational Leadership/Curriculum and Instructional Development, University of West Florida and a B.A., Early Childhood/Elementary Education, University of West Florida.
Ms. Godwin was selected as the Elementary Principal of the Year during the 2021-2022 school year.
Sandra Arrant, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Sandra Arrant has served the Santa Rosa County School System since 1996. The 2022-2023 school year will mark her 8th year as the Assistant Principal at Bennett C. Russell Elementary.
Mrs. Arrant has over eighteen years of experience teaching, spent one year as an Academic Intervention Specialist, and five years in school leadership and administration.
Mrs. Arrant earned a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and a second Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the American College of Education and a Bachelors of Art in Early Childhood Education from Troy University. She has also earned certifications in K-3, ESOL, and Educational Leadership.
Mrs. Arrant was selected as the Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year during the 2021-2022 school year.