A longtime Atlanta principal retired, then returned to his school as a handyman
David White retired as the longtime principal at the Burgess-Peterson Academy in Atlanta, and then returned to the school as its handyman.
Atlanta — Going into retirement, 58-year-old David White of Atlanta, Georgia, had some preconceived notions.
"I thought it would be blissful and easy and joyful," White told CBS News. "… It wasn't quite."
In September 2025, White retired after 33 years in education, the last 15 spent as principal at the Burgess-Peterson Academy, an elementary school. It was a career so illustrious that White was once awarded Principal of the Year for the entire Atlanta Public Schools district.
He said he left mostly to be free of the daily demands. But having so much free time got old.
"I was just hanging out with the cat, and it was a little lonely," White said.
White said he really started missing his school community. He knew he couldn't be principal again since they had already hired a new one. But when a different position opened up, he fired off his resume immediately.