Principal

Curtis Brower has been the proud principal of Powell Center for Play and Ingenuity since 2014. He is a native of Pennsylvania and moved to North Carolina to teach. He has been in education for over 20 years, serving as an elementary teacher, assistant principal and principal. Prior to being appointed as the principal at Powell, Dr. Brower served as an assistant principal at two Gifted and Talented WCPSS Magnet schools. He holds a BS degree in Elementary Education from The Pennsylvania State University, a master’s in School Administration degree from North Carolina State University, a 6th Year Advanced Education Specialist degree from North Carolina State University, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from North Carolina State University.

Dr. Brower has led Powell to become the first Center for Play and Ingenuity Magnet Elementary school in the nation. Creating a magnet program from the ground level has been a very rewarding and successful achievement in his career. He greatly enjoys watching the arts “come alive” and seeing the students engaged in hands-on learning and design challenges.

Dr. Brower is married to his wife, Allison, who is also a WCPSS school principal. He is the proud father of Andrew, a WCPSS graduate, and Caroline, a WCPSS HS sophomore, and the family dog, Toby. Dr. Brower loves to travel and try new restaurants. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, being outdoors, listening to and playing music. Dr. Brower loves the Penn State Nittany Lions and The Pennsylvania State University Marching Blue Band, where he played trumpet for four years. He is also an avid follower of NC State athletics. 

My Play-losophy:

"Play provides an opportunity for growth and development in the whole child. It unites students, teachers and families through experiences where they engage in the 4 C’s of Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Collaboration.  Play makes learning fun, doing things differently and more interactive. 

PLAY = "Powerful Learning And You!"

Assistant Principal

Mrs. Hart is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina and grew up attending WCPSS during middle and high school. She has been married to the love of her life for 19 years, and together they have 3 children, ranging in age from 5-17. Mrs. Hart has been in the profession of education for 22 years, 17 in WCPSS. Prior to becoming the proud assistant principal at Powell, Mrs. Hart had experience in the areas of teaching 4th and 5th grade, teaching Academically Gifted students, working as a reading specialist, and working as an Instructional Facilitator. Mrs. Hart is a local church member and loves serving annually during Vacation Bible School and for the AWANA program. In her free time, Mrs. Hart likes to spend time with her family, go to the beach, run and read.

My Play-losophy:

Playing allows students the opportunity to practice skills and concepts taught, and allows them to gain a deeper conceptual understanding of the standards. Playing allows students the opportunity to collaborate, communicate, create and think critically.