Congratulations Principal of the Year Shejuanna Jacobs and AP of the Year Sebastian Shipp!

On Oct. 3, Shejuanna Jacobs of Leesville Road High School was named 2024-25 Principal of the Year. Sebastian Shipp of Millbrook Magnet High was named 2024-25 Assistant Principal of the Year.

Principal of the Year: Shejuanna Jacobs, Leesville Road High

Shejuanna Jacobs has nearly 2 decades of experience with our district. She has served as the principal of Leesville Road High since July 2023. Prior to this role, she served as a principal of Rolesville Elementary, Dillard Drive Magnet Middle, and Apex Friendship Middle. She has also done tremendous work with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.

Jacobs approaches school leadership with a mindset of building trust and mutual respect. When coming into the role of Leesville Road’s principal last year, she prioritized learning from the existing staff and community.

“Recognizing the value of institutional knowledge, I learned from staff who have been part of the school for many years… Their guidance helped me avoid potential missteps and allowed me to honor the school's history while working toward positive change.”

As part of her naming, Jacobs received:

• an engraved award;
• a $1,000.00 monetary award for their school, compliments of Strawbridge Studios; 
• A monetary check for $1000 compliments of our sponsors;
• a $100 gift card to the Angus Barn;
• a one-night stay at the Umstead Hotel with complimentary breakfast at Herons; 
• A $100 Amazon gift card compliments of Strawbridge Studios
• A $50 Target gift card compliments of Eplee + Associates;
• A signed hockey stick and t-shirt courtesy of the Carolina Hurricanes;
• and a gift bag from Crossroads Chick-fil-A.

Jacobs holds a Master’s degree in School Administration from N.C. Central University.

Assistant Principal of the Year: Sebastian Shipp, Millbrook Magnet High

Sebastian Shipp has worked in our district for 21 years and has served as assistant principal at Millbrook Magnet High since 2015. He began his career as a math teacher at Garner High School. He also has served as an assistant principal at East Wake School of Engineering Systems (now East Wake Magnet High).

Shipp strives to make his school a place of transformational leadership. When approaching processes such as staff evaluations, he makes a point of having the meetings be two-way discussions.    

“Feedback, both informal and formal, is the cornerstone of the school environment I strive to create… I view meetings not just as spaces to deliver information, but as opportunities to dialogue, where staff suggestions are not only encouraged but acted upon. ”

Along with his normal duties as assistant principal, Shipp also supports the school by managing partnership with the Communities in Schools program, which has brought in more than $330,000 for student support. 

As part of his naming, Shipp received:

• an engraved award;
• a monetary check for $500 compliments of our sponsors
• A $100 Amazon gift card compliments of Strawbridge Studios
• a $100 gift card to the Angus Barn;
• A $50 gift card to Target compliments of Eplee + Associates
• A signed hockey stick and t-shirt courtesy of the Carolina Hurricanes
• and a gift bag from Crossroads Chick-fil-a

Shipp holds a master’s degree in School Administration from N.C. State University