Overman Named 2005 Principal Of The Year
Spivey named 2005 Assistant Principal of the Year
October 27, 2005 - The Wake County Public School System named James Overman of Creech Road Elementary the 2005 Principal of the Year and Susan Spivey of Cary Elementary 2005 Assistant Principal of the Year in ceremonies at the Exploris Museum in Raleigh. The awards ceremony is sponsored by the Wake County Public School System and the Wake County Division of Principals and Assistant Principals.
 James Overman, Creech Road |
James Overman - Principal of the Year
Overman has been principal of Creech Road Elementary since 2002. He also served as assistant principal at Leesville Road Elementary for three years and was an assistant principal intern at Timber Drive Elementary. Prior to that he worked as a teacher for seven years in high schools in North Carolina and Virginia.
With Overman as principal, Creech Road has developed a professional learning community where students and staff are successful. Student achievement levels are increasing, the achievement gap is closing significantly, staff members are better prepared and in tune with assisting students to be successful and community members are assisting with the educational process.
In 2004-05, Creech Road made high growth and had a state testing performance composite of 89.8 percent increasing from 1999-2000 when the school did not meet expected growth and had a composite of 61.9 percent.
"The school meets the needs of individual students through data-driven instruction," said Overman. "Teachers use various assessment data to provide focused, differentiated classroom instruction and interventions. Creative and innovative teaching techniques are used to meet the variety of student needs."
The student body at Creech Road is diverse representing many ethnic groups, cultural groups and economic classes. Approximately 20 percent of the student body is comprised of English-as-a-Second-Language students and 21 percent of the students receive exceptional children's services. Over 64 percent of the students receive free or reduced price breakfast and lunch.
Overman has focused his school community's attention on reaching all students. "Our school has partnered with the town of Garner and local churches to provide a free after school enrichment program," said Overman. "We partner with local high schools and universities to provide student programs, tutors and mentors. Business leaders volunteer in our second grade reading program and businesses provide student awards and incentives as well as school supplies and materials for teachers and students."
He said the PTA and Title I Parent Advisory Committee are important partners for the school.
Overman's leadership has been praised by school staff, students and others. "James is a creative problem solver and a relentless advocate for the students with whom he works," said fellow principal Marge Ronco of Ballentine Elementary. "He is a risk taker when he needs to be, but is fundamentally a cautious person in the sense that he is conscientious, ethical, watchful and wide-awake. He sets high standards for himself, his staff and his students."
"Our principal is the best principal in the world," said fourth-grader Jonathan Credendino. "He is always making sure that we do our best and checks on the classrooms to see that we are working hard. He is always working so he can make our school a cleaner, nicer, happier, safer and smarter place."
Overman was the Wake County Assistant Principal of the Year Award in 2001.
He is Elementary Director and Nominating Committee Chair for the WCPSS Division
of Principals and Assistant Principals. He serves on the NC Technology Student
Association Board of Directors. He has completed the Principal's Executive
Program - Principals as Technology Leaders. He served as co-chair for the
WCPSS Code of Ethics for Administrators Committee.
Overman and his wife Wanda have two children. He is an active member of the First Baptist Church of Raleigh where he is President of the Men's Laymen League and on the Deacon Board.
2005 Principal of the Year finalists included Freda Cole of Forest Pines Elementary, Jan Hargrove of Turner Creek Elementary, Matt Wight of Salem Middle and Tom Dixon of Apex High.
 Susan Spivey, Cary |
Susan Spivey - Assistant Principal of the Year
Susan Spivey has been assistant principal of Cary Elementary since 1998. Spivey was an assistant principal at Wendell Elementary and served as band director and administrative intern at Leesville Road Middle. She has also worked as a band director, teacher and coach at schools in North Carolina and New York.
At Cary Elementary, Spivey has been an instructional leader helping to coordinate after-school tutoring, Saturday Academics Program, Project Achieve and the Camp Cary tutoring program.
"Camp Cary is a two-week, half-day program for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders," said Spivey. "These students returned two weeks before school started in a camp setting for math and language arts reviews and fitness activities."
In 2004-05, Cary made high growth and had a state testing performance composite of 93.7 percent increasing from 1999-2000 when the school had a composite of 73.2 percent.
"Susan Spivey carried out her duties with class, imagination, dedication, attention to detail and humor," said Cary Elementary teacher Urbanna Gupton. "From the time she arrives in the morning at 6:00 a.m. until she leaves late, Susan uses her talents as leader, mentor, manager, nurturer, encourager, helper and yes - a 'smiling light' example for all of us, teachers and students alike!"
Spivey works to build strong connections between the school and students' families.
"Meeting with individual parents and groups of parents in their homes, community centers and on school grounds to hear their ideas of how to involve more parents is one way I spend much of my time," said Spivey. "Making time for home visits and community visits with teachers, counselors, school nurses and socials workers has made a big difference in building trusting, respectful relationships between school and home."
"Mrs. Spivey has the work ethic needed day in and day out to get the job done, but more importantly has the heart to make a difference through personal relationships with people," said Cary Elementary principal Rod Stanton. "She attends staff, PTA and community functions, and is a team player willing to go the extra mile for everyone in the Cary Elementary family."
Spivey is known for her athletic and musical abilities. At UNC-Wilmington, she was in the orchestra, wind ensemble and community orchestra symphony, as well as NCAA Most Valuable Player in softball. She played college basketball and volleyball, too. She continued in athletics as coach, player and official in softball and volleyball. She continued to perform with the Raleigh Symphony, NC Symphony, Raleigh Community Band and in instrumental trios, quartets and quintets. She is an active member of Knightdale United Methodist Church where she has served as choir director. She recently finished her coursework and internship for her doctorate degree and is currently working on her final dissertation.
Finalists for the 2005 Assistant Principal of the Year included H. Trent Evans of Reedy Creek Elementary, Mary Swann of Forestville Elementary, Ginger Wooten of Moore Square Middle and Sebastian Shipp of East Wake High.
Awards presented
More than 350 people were on hand to see Overman and Spivey honored. Overman received $1,000, made possible by Hunt Ward, Lifetouch Studios. He will go on to compete in North Carolina Regional and State Principal of the Year competitions sponsored by Wachovia Corporation.
Spivey received $500 made possible by Jubal Stagner and Kim Trezona, Jostens of the Triangle.
Overman and Spivey each received an Olympus D545 digital camera and Avery personal label printer courtesy of the Cary and Raleigh Office Depot stores, which also provided storage boxes filled with $150 worth of office supplies to each of the 10 finalists.
Principals and assistant principals are voted finalists by WCPSS principals and assistant principals. Then a team of school officials reviews the finalists - visiting their schools and reviewing a portfolio prepared by each finalist.
-wcpss-