Northeast Leadership Academy

Jul 29, 2021

Nash County Public Schools 2021-2022 Principal of the Year Timothy Mudd ’13MSA Recognized for Success in Creating Opportunities for Students

Timothy Mudd ’13MSA wanted to coach high school basketball. But while that was his goal when he launched his education career, it didn’t take long for his purpose to change. His new purpose soon became ensuring all students, especially low-income students and students of color, received the opportunities they needed to succeed. 

Jul 14, 2021

Focus on Mentorship Leads to Laura Wilson-Wadsworth ’18MSA Being Named Franklin County Schools Assistant Principal of the Year

When Laura Wilson-Wadsworth ’18MSA was named Franklin County Schools Assistant Principal of the Year, she was overwhelmed by the emails, phone calls and socially distanced visits she received. Her favorite note came from a student she had mentored for over three years, a testament to the work she’s done mentoring students and teachers at Bunn High School. 

Apr 26, 2021

Nash County Elementary School Assistant Principal of the Year Leo Nieves ‘18MSA: ‘It is My Goal to Help Make the Educational Experience for All Involved a Positive One’

As a first-year teacher, Leo Nieves ’18MSA was afraid to ask for help because he didn’t want to look like he didn’t know what he was doing. That was the biggest mistake he ever made. Now, as assistant principal at Benvenue Elementary School in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, he wants to help other teachers be successful. 

Mar 31, 2021

Nash County High School Assistant Principal of the Year Megan Bain ‘18MSA: ‘I Am Passionate About Supporting Teachers and Helping Students Pursue Their Own Pathway to Personal Success, Happiness and Productive Citizenship’

For Megan Bain ‘18MSA, education was not her intended career. She sort of fell into it. After earning her bachelor’s degree in international studies and Arabic, Bain joined Teach for America after witnessing the experience of one of her best friends in the program. Today, she is the 2020-21 Nash County High School Assistant Principal of the Year. 

Mar 22, 2021

Nash County Elementary School Principal of the Year Yolanda Wiggins ‘12MSA: ‘I Never Saw Myself as an Educator. Others Saw it in Me and Encouraged Me to Take My Love of Literacy into the Classroom to Inspire Students’

Yolanda Wiggins ‘12MSA worked as a news reporter in Halifax County for five years. During that time, she was encouraged by the Halifax County Schools’ superintendent to try teaching. She went through North Carolina’s lateral entry/residency license program and became a middle school English teacher, which was the start of her 23-year long education career. 

Feb 23, 2021

EdNC: A Qualified, Well-prepared Principal in Every School

A new study commissioned by the Wallace Foundation and co-authored by NC State College of Education Associate Professor Anna Eglite, Ph.D., highlights the importance of effective principals. Programs like the College of Education's Northeast Leadership Academy (NELA) are helping to prepare high-quality principals to fill those roles.  

Nov 25, 2020

Meet Erica Shoulders-Royster ‘12MSA, ‘20EDD: ‘I am Determined to Continue the Fight to Ensure Educational Equity for All’

Franklin County Schools’ 2019-2020 Principal of the Year Principal Erica Shoulders-Royster ‘12MSA, ‘20EDD has already achieved a number of firsts in her life. She is a first-generation college graduate, and she was part of the first Northeast Leadership Academy cohort. Now, she will be the first person in her family to earn a doctoral degree. 

Sep 2, 2020

Nash County Teacher of the Year Jessica Richardson ‘15, ‘22MSA: ‘No Other Institute Will Prepare You for Having a Depth of Content Knowledge, Classroom Management and Instruction. At NC State, You are Truly Part of a Family’

Through her experiences at NC State, Jessica Richardson ‘15, ‘22MSA recognized the importance of community. And her commitment to providing a safe, inclusive community for her students at Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High School is one of the reasons she was named the 2020-21 Nash County Teacher of the Year. 

Jun 16, 2020

Pursuing Success Through Education: Erica Shoulders-Royster ‘12MSA Named Franklin County Schools Principal of the Year

Franklin County Early College High School principal Erica Shoulders-Royster ‘12MSA has achieved a number of firsts throughout her life, and her commitment to educational success has led her to be recognized as Franklin County Schools’ 2019-2020 Principal of the Year. 

Jun 3, 2020

Halifax County Principal of the Year Teicher L. Patterson ‘13MSA: ‘In Order to Change a School and Community, the Leadership Must be Visible and Active in Community Functions, Meetings, Celebrations and Even in Times of Struggle and Hardship’

As principal of Enfield Middle STEAM Academy, Teicher L. Patterson ‘13MSA has a passion for rural education and a commitment to helping students succeed, which led to him being named the 2019-20 Halifax County Public Schools Principal of the Year.