County schools to make staffing changes
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on July 8, 2013 1:46 PM
Two principal shifts and several other administrative changes at Wayne County Public Schools have been announced.
Goldsboro High and North Drive Elementary schools will have new principals in the fall, with the departure of one and promotion of the other to a position at the central office.
Tonya Faison, who was named principal at GHS in 2011, has accepted a position with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. Stepping into the role as administrator at the school will be Brian Weeks, who became assistant principal at the school two years ago.
Weeks has been in the profession for 10 years. He earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from East Carolina University and a master's degree in educational administration from the University of Scranton.
He previously served as assistant principal at Southern Wayne High and Northeast Elementary. He also taught math and science at Brogden Middle School.
Charlenna Bennett-Carter, assistant principal at North Drive Elementary since 2007, also advances to the principal role at the school, replacing her longtime predecessor, Carol Artis, promoted to a position at the district's administrative offices.
Mrs. Bennett-Carter has been in education for 26 years, including a stint as a lead teacher and classroom teacher at North Drive. She started her career in 1987 at a Department of Defense Dependents School in Giessen, Germany. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Fayetteville State University and master's degree in education administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix.
The following personnel will move into assistant principal and elementary curriculum specialist roles.
Wayne Academy assistant principal, Nelson Cunningham, will be the new assistant principal of Eastern Wayne Middle. Eastern Wayne Elementary curriculum facilitator, Christy Haley, will be the new assistant principal at Brogden Middle. North Drive Elementary Title I coordinator, Shonise Jacobs, will become elementary curriculum specialist at Eastern Wayne Elementary. Exceptional Children's teacher, Jamel Jones, will be the assistant principal at Dillard Middle. Eastern Wayne Middle assistant principal, Craig Uzzell, will become assistant principal at Wayne Academy. Northwest Elementary third-grade teacher, Barbara Williams, will be the new elementary curriculum specialist at North Drive Elementary. Goldsboro High JROTC Senior Army Instructor Jason Wray will be assistant principal at Goldsboro High.
At the district level, five administrative changes will take place.
With the departure of Olivia Pierce, executive director for information and technology services, retiring Sept. 1 after a 39-year career, her successor will be David Lewis, currently director of elementary education/athletes.
Lewis, a former principal, has been in the profession 22 years and was just named to his current position in 2012. Before that, he served as principal at Rosewood Elementary, Rosewood High and as an assistant principal at Goldsboro High.
Prior to joining WCPS in 2003, he taught and later served as an assistant principal at John A. Holmes High School in Edenton. Lewis earned a bachelor's degree in English education from North Carolina State University and a master's degree in school administration from East Carolina University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in educational leadership from East Carolina University.
Mrs. Artis, principal at North Drive since 2002, will step into the role vacated by Lewis. During her 27 years in education, she has also been an assistant principal and curriculum facilitator and was also a teacher at School Street Elementary. Before coming to WCPS, she taught at Edwin A. Alderman Elementary School, in Wilmington. Mrs. Artis earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master's degree in school administration and a master's degree in education and curriculum from Campbell University.
Debbie Ogburn, who became Title I coordinator for the district last year, has been promoted to director of federal programs. She replaces Dr. Willette Stanley, who passed away unexpectedly in September 2012. Mrs. Ogburn has 28 years of education experience, including being principal at Meadow Lane Elementary, Carver Elementary and Fremont STARS Elementary. She also served as an assistant principal at Greenwood Middle and taught at Rosewood Elementary. Mrs. Ogburn earned an associate's degree in accounting from Halifax Community College and a bachelor's degree in education from Kentucky Christian University. She also earned a master's degree in education and a master's degree in school administration from East Carolina University.
Damesha Smith, elementary curriculum specialist at Eastern Wayne Elementary, will take over the role vacated by Mrs. Ogburn as Title I coordinator. With 10 years in the profession, she has been in her present position since 2010. Prior to that, she served as a teaching and learning coach for the WCPS Human Resource Services Department and has been a literacy coach and a teacher at Brogden Middle School. Mrs. Smith earned a bachelor's degree in history education from Winston-Salem State University, a master's degree in school administration from East Carolina University and a degree in educational leadership from North Carolina State University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from North Carolina State University.
Brogden Middle assistant principal Michelle Hamm will be the new director for the Exceptional Children's Department. The position was formerly held by Jane Walston, who recently retired. Mrs. Hamm has 20 years of education experience and has served in her present position since 2010. Previous experience includes being an exceptional children's teacher at Fremont STARS Elementary and Norwayne Middle. Before coming to WCPS in 1996, she was a K-2 resource teacher with Pitt County Schools. She earned a bachelor's degree in special education and master's degree in special education/school administration from East Carolina University.
Weeks, Mrs. Ogburn and Mrs. Hamm will begin their new assignments immediately, while assistant principals and elementary curriculum specialists will start Aug. 15. Lewis, Mrs. Artis and Mrs. Bennett-Carter will begin Sept. 1.