County administrators earn recognition
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 21, 2014 1:50 AM
pmooore@newsargus.com
Two administrators have been recognized by Wayne County Public Schools' Principal and Assistant Principals Association, or PAPA, for outstanding performance in their respective roles.
Mount Olive Middle School Principal Tammy Keel was named the district's 2014 Principal of the Year and Antoinette Ward, of Carver Elementary School, the 2014 Elementary Curriculum Specialist of the Year.
The principal distinction is part of the Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year program. Local principals of the year receive $150 and will represent the district in the regional competition.
Mrs. Keel, principal at MOM since 2010, started her career in education as a teacher at the school in 1999. She became assistant principal at Grantham School in 2005 and served as assistant principal at Brodgen Middle in 2006.
After obtaining her associate degree in business administration in 1997 and a bachelor's degree in management and organizational development from Mount Olive College, she was a N.C. Principal Fellow from 2003-2005 and earned a master's degree in administration from East Carolina University in 2005. She is currently working toward a doctoral degree in school administration form the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
The curriculum specialist of the year award has been presented since 2007 to recognize an outstanding assistant principal or elementary curriculum specialist who has proven to be hard working, dedicated to meeting student needs and goes above and beyond what is required.
Mrs. Ward's career began in 1991, as a teacher with the Pitt County Schools. After three years at a school system in Georgia, she was hired by WCPS to teach at Brogden Primary School. In 2002, she began teaching at North Drive Elementary School and became assistant principal at Carver in 2008. Her role as curriculum specialist began in 2011.
Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in elementary education from ECU and a master's degree in school administration from the University of Phoenix.