Principals

Oct 18, 2022

Patrick Holmes ’12MSA Named 2022-2023 Person County Schools Principal of the Year

After implementing a dual language program and global approach to learning at South Elementary School, Patrick Holmes '12MSA has been named, for a second time, Person County Schools Principal of the Year. 

Nov 22, 2021

How Can School Principals Provide Effective Leadership During Difficult Times? By Practicing the ‘Three C’s,’ Says Professor Lance Fusarelli

NC State College of Education Professor Lance Fusarelli likens school principals to captains of a ship: responsible for everything that occurs under their watch. This responsibility comes with unique challenges that have been exacerbated by issues like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

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. 

Jun 1, 2021

‘My Purpose in Life is To Help Others Achieve their Highest Potentials and the Education Field Allows Me to Do That Daily,’ Says Granville County Principal of the Year Courtney Currin ’12MSA

For Courtney Currin ’12MSA, being an educator has always been her life’s purpose. And it shows through her work as principal of Tar River Elementary School, where she was just named the 2020-2021 Granville County Public Schools’ Principal of the Year. 

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. 

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. 

Jul 20, 2020

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.