Retirement did not last long for one Atlanta school principal.

After 10 years leading Burgess Peterson Academy, David White is back, and this time he’s making sure everything inside the school’s building runs smoothly.

White retired last September from being the school’s principal, but home didn’t suit him for long.

“I found myself really kind of lonely and disconnected,” White said. “I had lost my sense of community, for sure, so when this position became available, I kind of laughed because I used to say that it would be the perfect retirement job.”

White applied for the open site manager position and got the job. Now he enjoys being back in the same halls that bring him joy.

He is six weeks into the new job.

“I find myself now always looking to see if there are lights that are burned out, if there are issues that need to be addressed,” said White. “There’s always the need for touch-up painting, right? Because kids have dirty little hands, and they love to pick paint.”

During CBS News Atlanta’s visit, White was repairing a broken lightbulb in the boy’s bathroom.

“The light started flickering, like, just blinking off and on, and so of course the kids were saying it was haunted,” he said.

Around the school, his impact hasn’t faded.

Students and staff light up when they see him.

“It’s been really great to see their excitement to be here every day and to see Mr. White,” said principal Dr. Holly Brookins. “I really feel that having him back has added so much value to our community, and it’s really been a joyful thing for all of us.”

With a tool belt and new titles, White proves that no matter the role, some people never stop showing up for the places they love.

A place generations of Atlantans grew up visiting is getting a major vote of confidence on the global stage.

Zoo Atlanta has officially been reaccredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a distinction considered the “gold standard” for animal care and conservation efforts. 

For families across metro Atlanta, the zoo isn’t just a weekend outing; it’s a staple of childhood memories, school field trips, and now, a symbol of world-class care happening right in the city’s backyard.

A big deal for a hometown institution

The AZA accreditation isn’t handed out lightly. It comes after a rigorous, multi-day inspection process where experts examine nearly every part of zoo operations — from animal wellbeing and veterinary care to education programs and guest experience. 

Only facilities that meet the highest standards earn the designation, and they must go through the process every five years to keep it.

That’s why leaders say this reaccreditation matters.

“Earning AZA accreditation demonstrates commitment to the global gold standard of animal care and wellbeing,” said Dan Ashe, President and CEO of the AZA. 

Why it matters to Atlanta

For Atlantans, this recognition goes beyond a title. It reinforces that one of the city’s most beloved attractions is operating at the highest level — not just for visitors, but for the animals themselves.

Zoo Atlanta President and CEO Raymond B. King said the honor reflects the daily work happening behind the scenes.

“Zoo Atlanta works tirelessly and daily to ensure superior professional animal care and wellbeing,” King said, adding that the zoo’s mission also extends to education and conservation efforts that reach far beyond Georgia. 

A global spotlight on the city

The announcement also comes as Atlanta hosts more than 1,200 zoo and aquarium professionals from around the world for the AZA Mid-Year Meeting. Many of them are getting a firsthand look at Zoo Atlanta during a special “Zoo Day” event. 

It’s a moment that puts the Atlanta institution on the global map.

The bottom line

Out of hundreds of zoos and aquariums worldwide, only a select number meet AZA standards. Zoo Atlanta is one of them — and will remain so for the next five years. 

For families planning their next visit, it’s a reminder that the same place known for pandas, giraffes, and gorillas is also part of a much bigger mission: protecting wildlife and setting the bar for how it’s done.