Administration
Mr. Neil Pinnock, Principal
Neil Pinnock began his educational career in the Fulton County Schools District in 1995 as a fourth-grade teacher at Esther Jackson Elementary School. Mr. Pinnock spent five years teaching in the classroom before accepting a yearlong Fulton County Schools administration internship position at several elementary, middle, and high schools. The next six years, Mr. Pinnock served as an assistant principal at Holcomb Bridge Middle School and 10 years as an elementary school principal at River Eves Elementary School. In 2018, Mr. Pinnock began his tenure as building principal of River Trail Middle School.
His educational experiences have afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with all stakeholders to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. His educational philosophy is based on his uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, and a committed and focused educational team.
Mr. Pinnock has received Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education from Florida A&M University. After several years of teaching, he pursued his Administrative Certification from Georgia State University.
Mr. Pinnock is married to Cynthia Pinnock, and they have three children, Nia, Hannah, and Nelson.
Mr. Guy Crotsley, 7th Grade Assistant Principal
Hello RTMS families! In my 23 years of education, I have had the pleasure of working with the River Trail community for 20 of them! As a 7th grade Life Science teacher, I opened the school in 2001. After getting promoted to an Assistant Principal at Chattahoochee High School, where I worked for three years, I knew my heart was in middle school and was able to return to RTMS in 2012 as the 7th grade AP. 7th grade, The Middle of the Middle! With 20 years of 7th grade experience, I am officially a professional 13-year-old! The 7th grade teaching staff is second to none, and they are passionate about guiding and teaching children at this unique time in their lives. I am not just an educator, but also a husband and a father. My son, Matthew, is a current 9th grader, and my son, Jackson, who is a senior also attended RTMS. My wife, Kelly, opened River Trail as an ELA teacher, and she now teaches first grade at New Prospect Elementary School after opening Wilson Creek in 2004 and many years at Shakerag Elementary. With all that River Trail has provided to me in my life, it is my true pleasure to give back each and every day in guiding and supporting your child’s growth, both academically and socially/emotionally.
Ms. Radhika Godbole, Assistant Administrator
My name is Radhika Godbole, and I am excited to join River Trail MS as an Administrative Assistant. I hold a bachelor’s degree in French from University of Pune, India, a master’s degree also in French from Northern Illinois University. My career in education started as a high school French teacher in Gwinnett and continued at Northview High School since 2016. I began my educational leadership journey a few years ago and completed my Tier 1 Leadership Certification from the University of West Georgia.
My husband, two sons and I have lived in this community since 2007. In my spare time, I enjoy working out, playing music, gardening, and traveling. I am looking forward to a great year at RTMS!
Mr. Judson "Taylor" Kidd, 8th Grade Assistant Principal
Taylor grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. After graduating from High School, he attended The Citadel. During this time, he enlisted with the South Carolina Army National Guard and was trained at Fort Moore (formally Fort Benning) in Georgia as an infantryman. After graduating with a bachelors in education, he taught for one year in Summerville, South Carolina and was deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
After his deployment, he went back into teaching seventh and eighth grade social studies in Summerville, South Carolina. In 2017, he and his fiancé moved to the greater Atlanta to be in a more metropolitan area. He taught in a nearby county for one year before finding his home at River Trail Middle School. He has been part of the River Trail Community since the 2018-2019 school year and has held a variety of leadership roles within the school. He earned River Trail’s Teacher of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year.
He has a master’s degree in education administration from the University of South Carolina and a specialist degree in middle grades social studies education from Kennesaw State University. He earned his doctorate from Kennesaw State University in December of 2023 and his primary focus of study was global citizenship education, gifted education and curriculum design.
He and his wife have two kids. In his limited free time, he enjoys exploring cultures through cuisine (both cooking and eating) and making dad jokes.
Ms. Lori Lahmann, 6th Grade Assistant Principal
Ms. Lahmann-Scullion completed her undergraduate degree in music education at Miami University of Ohio before moving to Georgia to begin her teaching career in 1993. She taught Chorus and General Music for 24 years in elementary and middle school. While teaching, she received her master’s degree in educational administration from Georgia State University. Ms. Lahmann served as an Administrative Assistant at RTMS for four years before becoming the Assistant Principal for 6th grade last year.
In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, reading, playing with her dog, and travelling to new places.