After 43 years, Dr. McCullen says her final goodbye
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on June 28, 2015 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Retiring Interim Schools Superintendent Dr. Sandra McCullen gives her former administrative assistant Margie Dozier and emotional goodbye on Thursday.
Dr. Sandra Raiford McCullen is the epitome of her own mantra -- a lifelong learner.
She proved it by her choice of a career in education and has continued to demonstrate it through each role she performed in the district over the last 43 years.
On Tuesday, she will clean out her desk and exit the central office of Wayne County Public Schools for the last time. Or at least until she decides what her next role might be.
She has already been a teacher, principal, director of an array of programs for the school system, was the second woman ever elected to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners in 2008 -- while still holding her job as associate superintendent -- and in December was named interim superintendent of WCPS.
"It's been a whirlwind of activity, working with people, trying to see that the system goes on in the transition. Certainly I have learned a lot here working with the Board of Education, principals and our staff. They say it's harder to get out than it is to get in," she said about her final departure. "Maybe with the decision that I made back in the fall, I understand that."
She had initially announced in mid-October plans to retire Dec. 1. But then-superintendent Dr. Steven Taylor countered with his own announcement after the November election, that he would retire Dec. 1. The Board of Education voted 4-3 for Mrs. McCullen to serve as interim during the replacement process, through June 30.
"I don't have any plans come July 1," she said recently. "Take a little time, see how it goes."
She looks forward to spending more time with her family, which now includes eight grandchildren as well as her husband of 45 years, Randy McCullen.
A Wayne County native, she attended Seven Springs High School and was a sophomore the frst year Southern Wayne High opened. She holds a bachelor's degree in home economics from East Carolina University, a master's degree in counseling education from N.C. State, doctorate degrees in counselor education and supervision/administration and a vocational director certification.
But fresh out of college, she never envisioned half of her life would be spent in her chosen career field.
"At that time, that was a good job for women and for families," she says now. "Of course, being local here and knowing I was going to stay in Wayne County, it's kind of a mission.
"Those of us who work in public education, it's something that we do because we know it's needed. It's been fulfilling to have been in this role -- to see how people have grown and others, such as principals and staff can grow and help other people. That's what it's all about, developing citizens for a better tomorrow."
She has many fond memories, starting with her first year of teaching in 1972, as an eighth-grade math/science teacher at then-Brogden Junior High and returning to her alma mater, Southern Wayne High, from 1973-1979 before becoming K-9 counselor at Grantham School.
She has written handbooks on curriculum development and introduced electronic report cards in the district, as well as working with students and staff over the years. There have been many changes in education and she has been blessed to work with "wonderful people," she says.
"Mr. (Walter) Fulcher (then principal at SW) was a great mentor at Southern Wayne and I enjoyed working with him," she said, crediting him with such witicisms as, "'These children are going to be your parents in just a few years' and 'They're doing the best they can.'"
For the last 15 years she was associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction. In addition to the joys, she said it has been frustrating to see all the state mandates and economic constraints placed on education.
"Teachers want respect. That's what it's all about," she said. "Public educators want respect. Of course, it means a lot to them to have that as well as a good living wage."
One thing she has long preached is "personalized education," seeing children achieve their goals. Professional development for teachers is another passion.
With the hiring of Dr. Michael Dunsmore, who will be sworn in as superintendent on Wednesday morning, Mrs. McCullen has spent recent weeks in the teacher role again -- indoctrinating him to the district she has loyally served for over four decades.
Her imminent plans are simple, she says.
"My husband is a farmer and I will be working, doing whatever I need to do there, enjoying being with the family," she said. "I don't have any plans right now. I have so many retired friends who have told me, 'Don't do anything for six months' but most of them say you're busier."
She admits she does have a "stack" awaiting her and hopes to catch up on reading.
"And I like Facebook and the internet," she said. "But I really like to hold a book in my hand, a real magazine in my hand."
If she had one final lesson to impart, it would likely center around that theme, drawing upon research she did in graduate school that connected self-esteem and reading.
"That's what makes you feel good about yourself, is how well you can read at a young age," she said.