Mr. West is the dedicated and dynamic principal of Hortons Creek Elementary School. With a passion for K12 public education and a commitment to fostering an affirming and nurturing learning environment, Mr. West has been an integral part of the Hortons Creek community since 2020, when he joined the team as assistant principal.

Mr. West received his undergraduate degree in history education from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He obtained a Master’s degree in Digital Learning and Instructional Technology from North Carolina State University and a school leadership license from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

With more than 15 years of experience in the field of public education, Mr. West has held various roles, including an award-winning classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator, instructional coach, and assistant principal.

Mr. West is known for his collaborative approach to leadership, working closely with teachers, parents, and the broader community to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. He was featured in WRAL’s Education Matters leadership spotlight in 2017 and appeared as a guest on PBS North Carolina’s Black Issues Forum in 2023. He has been a panelist and featured presenter at various education-related conferences, including the Dudley' Flood Center's "Color of Education" annual conference and the NC Holshouser Legislator’s Retreat. His work has also been featured in K-12 education programming at East Carolina University, the Kenan Fellows, and the Principal Project.

Outside his professional responsibilities, Mr. West has a keen interest in history, place, and context and began a podcast project in 2020. He enjoys reading, writing, and playing both guitar and piano. His loving wife Courtney is currently a PhD student at the University of Wisconsin Madison.

View the letter Mr. West wrote to the Hortons Creek community at this link.