Principals
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wilton Elementary Principal Sheila Atkins ‘12MSA honored as 2019-2020 Granville County Schools Principal of the Year
Wilton Elementary School Principal Sheila Atkins ‘12MSA began her career at Granville County Schools as a teacher assistant and bus driver. Now, she is the 2019-2020 Granville County Public Schools Principal of the Year.
Catie Burnette ‘17MSA Celebrated as 2019-2020 Wake County Assistant Principal of the Year
When Hilburn Academy Assistant Principal Catie Burnette ‘17MSA was named 2019-2020 Wake County Assistant Principal of the Year, she had the opportunity to experience her school’s unique celebration.
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.
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.
Mike Casey ‘18MSA Named Pitt County Schools 2019-2020 Assistant Principal of the Year
G.R. Whitfield School Assistant Principal Mike Casey ‘18MSA has a lifelong love of learning. It’s what led him to earn his Master of School Administration from the NC State College of Education through the Northeast Leadership Academy and what led him to become Pitt County Schools 2019-2020 Assistant Principal of the Year.
Edgecombe County Principal of the Year Lauren Lampron ‘14MSA, ‘19EDD: ‘I Hope My Work Serves as a Catalyst to Allow Education to Become an Equalizer in Our Society’
When Lauren Lampron ‘14MSA, ‘19EDD joined Teach for America in 2010, she had no idea that a decade later she would be leading W.A. Pattillo Middle School and would be named the 2019-20 Edgecombe County Public Schools Principal of the Year.