Mr. Derrick Thomas leads the FAVE Falcons with a wealth of experience, bringing more than 25 years of dedicated educational leadership to Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary. Much of his extensive career has been spent right here with City Schools of Decatur, including significant time guiding middle school learners, predominantly at Beacon Hill Middle School. His additional years in elementary education provide a seasoned approach to leading FAVE, giving him a comprehensive perspective on student growth from the early years through their transition to middle school. He truly understands that "it takes a village" to help students in the community thrive and grow into the best versions of themselves.

A true Falcon Flier, Mr. Thomas is profoundly committed to building strong, collaborative partnerships between home and school, recognizing the vital role families play in a student's success. He is widely recognized for his ability to foster positive, inclusive learning environments where every student and staff member feels empowered to thrive and reach their full potential. Under his guidance, FAVE continues its mission to encourage learners to be risk-takers who inquire about global issues, strive to be open-minded, and display excellence and uniqueness in a variety of ways, truly fostering powerful young minds who lead the way!