• Welcome to our #ATeam page! We are happy to support your family #ontheHil.

    While we organize ourselves to provide targeted support, you are welcome to reach out to any one of us for assistance. 
Caswell

  • Dr. Caswell- Principal

    Greetings, Families – thank you for welcoming me to the Nest that is Hilburn Academy! Together we will partner to accomplish great things together, including growing your Hawk's curiosity, confidence, and perseverance as their social, emotional, and academic learning takes flight through STEAM! My 25-year professional background includes K-12 art education, post-secondary art history, school administration, learning sciences instruction and course creation, professional learning content development, and equity leadership. Whew! My specific previous principal experiences focused on enriching standards-aligned instruction with project-based learning that provided choice and voice to students in both their area of deep study AND how they demonstrated their learning. The results (proficiency, growth, student AND staff engagement) at both schools were extraordinary. I look forward to bringing that lens to the unique STEAM focus at Hilburn. Thank you in advance for your partnership and support along the way. Let’s fly together!
     
    Alumni: University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Virginia Commonwealth University, NC State University, and THE Johns Hopkins University 
    My Favorite Children's Book: The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone
    My Favorite Quote: “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde
Huntley

  • Ms. Huntley - Assistant Principal

    I'm very excited to be a part of the Hilburn Academy nest! I was born and raised in Raleigh and graduated from UNC-G with a degree in elementary education and a minor in dance. After graduation, I was selected as a Teach for America Corps member and began my teaching career in Charleston, SC, teaching 3rd and 4th grade. As a classroom teacher, I prioritized building relationships with students and families to help students find joy and success in school. Eventually, I felt the call to return home to be closer to family and began teaching in Wake County. During my time in the classroom, I discovered my passion for instructional leadership, personalized learning, and teacher development, which led me to pursue my Master's in School Administration at UNC (Go Heels!). As an educator in Wake County, I've worked at Rogers Lane Elementary, Hunter GT/AIG Magnet Elementary, Oberlin Magnet Middle School, and Davis Drive Middle School. I'm thrilled to be a Hilburn Hawk and to partner with this amazing community. I can't wait to see all the incredible things that happen #onthehill!

    Alumni: University of North Carolina at Greensboro and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

    My Favorite Children's Book: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

    My Favorite Quote: “There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” Amanda Gorman
Smith

  • Mr. Smith - Assistant Principal 

    Welcome to the Nest, Hawks! I am Mr. Smith. I am proud to support your educational experience as Assistant Principal. While I work primarily with Middle School students, I enjoy supporting our Elementary Hawks as well. My background is in K-12 Special Education (Behavior Support) and K-12 Physical Education. I've lived in several states and cities, but after beginning my career in Florida, I moved back to North Carolina. I've taught both PE and Special Education Classes (CCR and BST). In Wake County, I taught Special Education at Oberlin Middle. I served as a Behavior Support Teacher and Administrative Team Intern. After graduating with my Master's in School Administration, I moved to Johnston County. I spent 8 years in Johnston County as a building-level administrator for both middle and high schools at McGee's Middle School and West Johnston High School. I am dedicated to providing inclusive environments that create opportunities for engagement by all students. My wife is a dentist/dental surgeon in the Raleigh-Durham area. We enjoy spending time with our daughters, local family, and friends. We enjoy traveling and trying new restaurants. I also collect sneakers and enjoy talking with students about fashion, entrepreneurship, and sports.

    Alumni: Oakwood University and Western Carolina University

    Favorite Children's Book: Fudge Series Judy Blume

    My Favorite Quote: One of the first things I was taught as an actor was, 'Don't judge the character.' -Chadwick Boseman