2010 Principal of the Year Finalists
October 6, 2010 - The Principal of the Year and the Assistant Principal of the Year for the Wake County Public School System will be named Thursday night at ceremonies at the Marbles Museum in downtown Raleigh.
Interim Superintendent Donna Hargens will be there to congratulate the winners and finalists.
Principals and assistant principals are nominated by their peers. Each finalist is required to submit a portfolio, receive a site visit, and is interviewed by a panel of educators and community members.
Principal of the Year Finalists |
 Jim Argent |
 Pamela Kinsey-Barker |
 Dana King |
 Cathy Williams |
 Teresa Winstead |
Assistant
|
 Jennifer Carfano |
 Bob Grant |
 Cheryl Munn |
 Syreeta Smith |
 Stacey Weddle |
Principal of the Year finalists
2010 Principal of the Year finalists included Jim Argent of Lake Myra Elementary, Dr. Pamela Kinsey-Barker of Brassfield Elementary, Teresa Winstead of Durant Road Elementary, Cathy Williams of East Garner Magnet Middle and Dana King of Millbrook Magnet High.
Here is information about each of the finalists:
Jim Argent, Lake Myra Elementary
Argent has been in education for 15 years and has been principal of Lake Myra Elementary School, opening the new school two years ago. Prior to that, he served as principal at Swift Creek Elementary. Earlier he worked as assistant principal at Timber Drive Elementary and as a principal intern and curriculum integration coordinator at Centennial Campus Middle School. He worked as a physical education teacher at an elementary school and high school in western North Carolina.
Argent is a member of the Triangle Leadership Academy and East Carolina University Doctoral Cohort. His target graduation date is December 2011.
He is devoted to his family, volunteers with his children’s soccer teams and Irish dance group and is an active member of St. Catherine’s of Sienna Catholic Church in Wake Forest.
Area Superintendent Danny Barnes says Argent is a one-of-a-kind principal.
“When he opened Lake Myra Elementary a year ago he had a vision of creating an environment where students would always come first, where teachers would go the extra mile to meet the needs of every child and where parents and school supporters would be actively engaged in supporting those efforts,” said Barnes. “After just a few moments in the school, you see and feel that vision becoming a reality.”
PTA President Chris Barrow says Argent is a gifted administrator, dedicated teacher and a wise mentor.
“Jim’s dedication, excitement and leadership have created a supportive community of parents and volunteers,” said Barrow. “He is able to convince volunteers that their contribution of time – no matter how big or small – is valued. Jim urges our PTA to find opportunities for those that can volunteer not just during the day, but also for those that can volunteer at night, or even on the weekend. Our parents know that they are valuable pieces of the puzzle that is our children’s education.”
Dr. Pamela Kinsey-Barker, Brassfield Elementary
Dr. Kinsey-Barker has been in education for 25 years and has been principal of Brassfield Elementary School for five years. Prior to that, she was principal of an elementary school in Maryland for two years. Earlier, she was principal of Morrisville Elementary and assistant principal of Wilburn Elementary. She worked as an instructional resource teacher at Durant Road Elementary, a teacher at Hunter Magnet Elementary and worked a year at an international school in Spain.
Kinsey-Barker says the school PTA has engaged the school community in celebration of learning by sponsoring several annual events.
“In the fall, our book fair drive culminates in Media by Moonlight, where families attend several book readings by community celebrities and engage in reading activities designed by our media specialist,” said Kinsey Barker. “In the winter, we have a huge turnout for our math and science fair which features not only student and class projects but also invites astronomers, wildlife experts, health practitioners and other members of our community to share their scientific expertise with our families.”
Teacher Margaret Howard says Kinsey-Barker has helped to immerse students in the most current technology.
“Every classroom is equipped with a SMART board and projector,” said Howard. “Our students use laptops, netbooks and Flip video cameras to enhance their learning. Our teachers regularly collect and analyze data using electronic data workbooks and submit lesson plans electronically each week.”
PTA President Holly Hodges says Kinsey Barker is constantly on the go improving what we do.
“There are many times I will see her flow smoothly from English into Spanish to address and talk with one of our Spanish speaking families; take a child by the hand and walk them to class; or stop and talk to students in the hallway,” said Hodges. “She never loses sight of the most important asset at our school, the children.”
Teresa Winstead, Durant Road Elementary
Winstead has been in education for 27 years and has been principal of Durant Road Elementary for seven years. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal, special education teacher and part time curriculum specialist at Durant Road Middle. She worked as a cross categorical resource teacher at North Ridge Elementary, a special programs teacher at Wake Forest-Rolesville High and Cary High and a vocational resource teacher at Cary High.
Winstead said instruction at her school has grown stronger by wise use of student data and analysis of data in professional learning teams.
“I created student data packets for teachers and grade levels and held tutorials to help our staff understand how to read and use this data to guide instruction. We analyzed trends and began to set priorities that would guide our professional development in reading, math and writing,” said Winstead. “We have provided weekly release to ensure that teachers have time to analyze student work, review performance data and discuss best practices at grade levels.”
Teacher Pat Berry says Winstead is a dedicated, hard-working, enthusiastic and caring principal.
“Ms. Winstead consistently demonstrates a loving commitment to all students, parents and teachers,” said Berry. “Her presence is felt in the morning as she warmly greets each student, parent and staff member in the carpool lane and hallways. She is the epitome of a hands-on administrator.”
Parent Tonya Baskerville says Winstead has a special touch.
“On more than one occasion, I have seen her answer the phone, greet parents, direct traffic during a very chaotic carpool and most importantly talk with children when they need those kinds words or the reassuring hug to make it through the day,” said Baskerville. “Children today need an advocate and Teresa seems to focus every part of her day on advocating for the community that she leads.”
Cathy Williams, East Garner Magnet Middle
Williams has been in education for 20 years and has been principal of East Garner Magnet Middle for the last four years. Prior to that, Williams has served as assistant principal of Enloe Magnet High and Ligon Magnet Middle. She was WCPSS School-to-Career Coordinator and a career development coordinator at Apex High. She was a teacher at Apex and Enloe high schools.
In completing her doctoral degree, Williams has been hard at work examining the challenges of first-year principals and the support they need. She is an active member of Cary Presbyterian Church, an avid quilter and a Chicago Bears fan.
Parent Amy White who currently chairs the Garner Education Foundation and was a member of the Wake County Board of Education says Williams is a leader and mistress of collaboration.
“I observed Williams develop the friendship and trust of many of Garner’s business leaders,” said White. “Cathy expressed several times that she felt it was important that key leaders in area industries feel that they have a relationship with school principals, so that the dialogue about successes at the school level can be effectively communicated to the community. East Garner Magnet Middle joined the Garner Chamber, participated in its Business Expo, uses the Chamber’s e-newsletter and its e-mail blast to post upcoming school evens and Cathy attends the Women in Business Leadership Luncheons. Her purposeful outreach to the business community has been incredibly successful.”
East Garner Career Development Coordinator Susan Johnson says Williams has provided the direction and built community support that has helped to turn East Garner Magnet Middle around.
“Her constant focus is on how we use the resources we have to do what is right and what is best for our students in order to provide them with the best learning environment and support that we can,” said Johnson. “Cathy leads this charge for students by example, modeling fair treatment and support for every child.”
Dana King, Millbrook Magnet High
King has been in education for 28 years and has been principal of Millbrook High for eight years. Prior to that, she was principal at East Millbrook Magnet Middle. She worked as an assistant principal at Athens Drive High and was a teacher at Sanderson High. She also worked as a teacher in California, Massachusetts and Ohio.
King is the current president of the Wake County Division of Principals and Assistant Principals as well as the Cap-8 Athletic Conference. She is a board member for Communities in Schools and the Triangle Leadership Academy. She was the 1995 WCPSS Assistant Principal of the Year.
She is an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church and is on the board of Friends of the Wake County Public Library.
King said one of her focuses at Millbrook has been to increase participation in Advanced Placement courses.
“We looked at the AP Potential Report. Based upon student PSAT scores, the APPR report indicates which students should be able to handle the rigor of AP classes,” said King. “We then held parent meetings for eighth-graders and ninth-graders. These meetings greatly helped our new parents understand academic rigor and why it is important to start this in ninth grade. Then we held AP Parent Night for all parents right before course registration to meet the AP teachers.”
Two years earlier, King had been working with teachers to develop the skills that would help students be successful in AP classes. As a result of these steps, AP enrollment increased to 930 students in 26 AP classes this year.
Assistant Principal Kelly Aman says King has helped restore pride in Millbrook High with her unwavering, capable and dedicated leadership.
“Dana is always the first person at Millbrook each morning and frequently her light is the last one on in the building at night,” said Aman. “Her accessibility to parents, students and her teachers along with her larger- than-life personality and her take-charge attitude have restored the community’s belief that Millbrook High School is a great school where children enjoy a wonderful high school experience that readies them for bright futures.”
Area Superintendent Ann Hooker says King is enthusiastic about her job.
“She works tirelessly to make the school successful and never loses sight of her main focus – educating children,” said Hooker. “Through the years, she has worked with the staff to increase the graduation rate, increase SAT scores and improve the overall academic performance of the students. Along with these successes, she has guided the school through two years of major renovations, SACS renewal and converting to an International Baccalaureate School just to mention a few challenges.”
Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists
2010 Assistant Principal of the Year finalists include Bob Grant of Briarcliff Elementary, Jennifer Carfano of Herbert Akins Road Elementary, Syreeta Smith of North Forest Pines Elementary, Stacey Weddle of East Wake Middle and Cheryl Munn of Southeast Raleigh High.
Here is information about each of the finalists:
Bob Grant, Briarcliff Elementary
Grant has been in education for 21 years and has been assistant principal at Briarcliff Elementary for 2.5 years. Prior to that, he was an administrative intern at Washington Magnet Elementary. He worked as a teacher at Washington Magnet Elementary, Durant Road Elementary and schools in New York and Washington, DC.
Grant says the heart of an effective, healthy school is its common vision, mission and shared goals.
“Clearly articulating these, keeping them alive and active and creating conditions that make change possible and successful are the crux of effective leadership,” said Grant. “Being purposeful, patient and strategic allows a leader to create an environment where vision, mission and goals are both internalized and acted on.”
Jennifer Carfano, Herbert Akins Elementary
Carfano has been in education 12 years and has been assistant principal at Herbert Akins Elementary for one year. Prior to that, she was assistant principal at West Lake Elementary and was a teacher at Fox Road Elementary and Brentwood Elementary.
Carfano says strong instructional leadership is key in creating and maintaining a school environment that ensures the success of all students.
“A strong instructional leader is someone who works to provide focus and direction to teachers and establishes conditions in the school that support them as they dig deeper into the learning of their students,” said Carfano. “Student learning should be the motivation for all instructional leaders.”
Syreeta Smith, North Forest Pines Drive Elementary
Smith has been in education for 13 years and has been assistant principal at North Forest Pines Drive Elementary for four years. Prior to that, she was assistant principal and assistant principal intern at Wilburn Elementary. She was a teacher in a Wayne County, NC school.
Smith says instructional leadership is one of the most influential and impactful roles of the school administration team.
“It is the most fulfilling part of my role as assistant and a priority in my daily schedule,” said Smith. “My instructional leadership style consists of being hands-on, active, data-driven and always evolving.”
Stacey Weddle, East Wake Middle
Weddle has been in education for 19 years and has been assistant principal at East Wake Middle for two years. Prior to that, she was a senior administrator and compliance specialist in WCPSS Special Education Services. Earlier, she was a special education teacher at Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle.
Weddle says you can better appreciate a school’s core beliefs and traditions by understanding the school’s history.
“East Wake Middle opened in 1989 as the middle school in the Knightdale/Wendell area,” said Weddle. “As a community school, it is important to recognize this as we have the second generation of families coming to our school. In addition, some of our teachers attended middle school at East Wake and some of our teachers have been at the school since it opened.”
Cheryl Munn, Southeast Raleigh Magnet High
Munn has been in education for 10 years and has been assistant principal at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High for one year. Prior to that, she was assistant principal at Sanderson High and Small Learning Communities Coordinator/ Assistant Principal at Millbrook High.
Munn discussed grading practices with high school staff with the goal of student grades accurately reflecting mastery in a given curriculum.
“I created a grading practices committee that consisted of a teacher from each subject area,” said Munn. “Best practices, district-provided resources and expert materials were shared with the committee. The committee piloted some of the fixes in their classes and came up with additional strategies of their own. The committee presented a new fix at every staff meeting along with an activity to demonstrate how the fix works.”
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