WCPSS, meet your ten 2024-25 Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year finalists!
These exemplary school leaders are active in their schools and communities, earn the respect of their students, teachers, peers and parents, and demonstrate a strong ability to improve the achievement of students they serve.
All finalists will now submit an e-portfolio and participate in an e-portfolio review, school observation and interview. The combination of these criteria will be used to determine the WCPSS Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year.
The 2024-25 Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 3 at a special celebration.
Read more about each of our ten finalists below; they are pictured above beginning top row, from left.
Congratulations to this amazing group of leaders!
Principal of the Year Finalists
Melody Brunson, Sycamore Creek Elementary
I am so proud and humbled to serve in the Northwest region. This is my seventh year serving as the principal at Sycamore Creek Elementary School. All 30 of my years in education have been in NC, 25 in Wake County, and most surprising, all 30 years have been in year-round schools. I am a teacher at heart and have continued to teach children and adults through every position I have served. I am still a Nationally Board Certified Teacher for the third time, and I never expect anything from others that I am not willing to try myself. Every accomplishment and challenge I have overcome is absolutely because of the strong inspiring models and mentors in this district that surround me and encourage me. My personal mission everyday is to love, serve, and challenge ALL! I think deeply and make decisions strategically to ensure that I always lead with the best interests of children in mind. Shared leadership is very important to me, and I value the relationships I have with the students, teachers, staff, and families in my community. We work together side by side to create an equitable learning community where every student is loved, challenged and engaged in relevant, rigorous, and meaningful learning every day. I love being their biggest cheerleader, most devoted fan, and I will keep pushing them to lead and take risks just as they do for me!
Shejuanna Jacobs, Leesville Road High
Shejuanna Jacobs is the proud principal of Leesville Road High School. Since beginning her career in 1994, Shejuanna has successfully served in five WCPSS schools, four of which she was principal. She is proud to represent two HBCUs, having received her undergraduate degree from North Carolina A&T University and her master’s degree from North Carolina Central University. Shejuanna’s professional accomplishments include winning WCPSS Assistant Principal of the Year in 2008. She was also nominated as a principal finalist for WCPSS in 2021 and received the 2023 NCMLE award for North Carolina Middle-Level Administrator To Watch. She has served on the WCPSS Division of Principals and Assistant Principals as a Middle School Principal Director and is currently on the WCDPAP board as the parliamentarian. In 2018, she had the honor of opening a new school, Apex Friendship Middle School, before transitioning to high school. She is grateful to be recognized alongside such a distinguished pool of principals, who are undoubtedly the most effective, innovative, and passionate education leaders in America.
Jackie Jordan, Enloe Magnet High
At Enloe GT/IB Magnet High School Dr. Jordan has the unique joy of serving as principal to students who have been with her through their elementary, middle and high school experience. This year, she will again give diplomas to students who she has served in middle and elementary school! Dr. Jordan is a graduate of East Carolina University and obtained her Master’s and Doctorate degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her dissertation focused on the conflict between the principalship and motherhood. Dr. Jordan has spent her entire career serving in magnet schools, even as a teacher at BUGG ELEMENTARY! During her four principalships, her schools have been recognized as Magnet Schools of Distinction, Magnet Schools of Excellence, and Certified Magnet Schools. Her passion continues to be fighting for better teacher working conditions and creating schools where staff are empowered. Being at Enloe has been the highlight of Dr. Jordan’s career. She is grateful for the wonderful staff and families she continues to serve.
Melissa McKinley, Brentwood Elementary
Imagine having a job you love going to every day, where you feel that you are making a meaningful difference in a school community. My name is Melissa McKinley, and that’s exactly how I feel as Principal of Brentwood Magnet Elementary School of Engineering. I am honored to be recognized by my peers. I’m entering my 18th year in education and my fourth year as Principal, having spent my entire career in WCPSS as a teacher, assistant principal, senior administrator, and now principal. Raleigh is my hometown, and I was born and raised just across the street from Brentwood. As a proud product of WCPSS, being a principal in this community is especially meaningful to me. My passion for quality education drives my commitment to supporting our Brentwood school community. I see every child as if they were my own and will advocate for each one wholeheartedly. I believe in establishing strong relationships, empowering my staff to innovate, and fostering a culture of collaboration. Along with my amazing staff, this has led to a positive impact on student achievement. During these last few years, Brentwood has been recognized as a Nationally Certified Magnet School, Magnet School of Excellence, Magnet School of Distinction, and North Carolina Model STEM School of Distinction. We continue to foster our community partnerships (i.e. NC State University) that provides our students with real-world experiences. I’m excited about the future of Brentwood and the endless possibilities for our students as we have continued to meet or exceed academic growth each year. Engaging and empowering each of our student engineers to reach their full potential is what Brentwood is all about!
Wenitra Merritt, Carver Elementary
I began my career in 1992 as an elementary school teacher. Following 14 years as an AP, I started to question my purpose and almost gave up on my goal of becoming a Principal. I now recognize the time, strategic professional development, and mentorship that had to happen for me to be ready for MY TIME. I became the proud Principal of Carver Elementary School in 2021 when Carver was designated as a low performing school. Since then we have exceeded growth 3 years in a row, no longer have the low performing designation, and our report card grade improved from a D to a C. I contribute these accomplishments to my unwavering commitment to our collective professional development. Leveraging our district's new Equity Policy and Strategic Plan, along with participating in the 23-24 Equity Cohort has challenged me and my staff to become better problem solvers. We strive to understand the impact of culture on learning and change mindsets that foster a “Beloved” school community where our students are expected to achieve at high levels. An achievement gap does not have to exist if we do the work to learn and grow as educators. We must be extraordinary in all that we do if we are to overcome the barriers and mindsets that lead to lower expectations and outcomes for some of our students. This is my calling and this is My Time. I am truly humbled and honored to be selected as a 2024 POY finalist.
Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists
Shari Burton, Joyner Elementary
Shari Burton is honored to serve as the Assistant Principal of Joyner Magnet Elementary School. She has been in education for 21 years, with experience as an elementary teacher and district MTSS coach before serving in her current role as an Assistant Principal for the last 9 years. Shari’s passion is helping students realize their full potential. She teaches them to build strong, meaningful relationships, ensures they are equipped to handle challenges, and prepares them to become caring, kind, and productive citizens. She cultivates a culture of conflict resolution and social-emotional support through Restorative practices. She loves supporting students and families as they journey through school and strives to cultivate academic success for every student. Shari enjoys working with the energetic, committed, and compassionate staff at her school because it is truly the PEOPLE who make Joyner the place she’s honored to call home! Her professional accomplishments include: founding the mentoring programs at Joyner – Boys with Bowties and Girls with Pearls, selection to participate in the 2021-2022 Wake AP Leadership Academy, and election and current service as Elementary AP Director for WCDPAP. Outside of school, Shari is the mother of one son, Jalan, and coordinates the Education and Career Development ministry at her church. She is honored to be a semi-finalist and values being a voice for her colleagues who work tirelessly to make a positive impact on the lives of children.
Molly Miller, Salem Elementary
As a twice-over graduate of East Carolina University and a product of Wake County Public Schools, my professional journey has been deeply rooted in WCPSS. From a young age, I was determined to become an educator, following my family’s four-generation legacy of teaching. Since earning my undergraduate degree in 2008, I taught first and fourth grades at Cedar Fork and have been serving as the AP at Salem Elementary since 2017. In my role as AP, I’ve led an APPLN, contributed to the inaugural EdCamp Equity, and conducted sessions at the Summer Leadership Conference on empowering Student Bus Leaders and enhancing small group reading instruction. I have had the honor of presenting with other amazing APs at the New Assistant Principal Onboarding Training. In 2023, I collaborated with colleagues to establish a Professional Learning Network for elementary APs in the Southwestern region, providing mutual support and shared resources during monthly meetings. Through my involvement with the School Improvement Team, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to our school’s academic progress, notably meeting and exceeding growth, as well as intentionally integrating science of reading research into our everyday practices.This role has provided a broad opportunity to positively influence students, staff, and families, embodying the spirit of our school community. As assistant principals, we serve as the hands, feet, and heart of the school, which makes the job both incredibly rewarding and challenging. I am profoundly grateful to serve as the assistant principal at Salem Elementary.
Melissa Oliver, Alston Ridge Elementary
As a product of WCPSS, I am honored to serve as the Assistant Principal at Alston Ridge Elementary School. Over the past six years, I have had the privilege of working with a truly diverse student body representing cultures from around the world. Leading our intervention processes, which caters to the instructional needs of every student, is a role I take great pride in. I have also headed the school’s Equity team, which developed “Coffee & Equity” sessions to facilitate staff discussions on addressing inequities. Additionally, I have helped create “Affinity Groups” for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade African American students to foster a supportive network within our school. My journey with WCPSS began as a one-on-one aide and instructional assistant at Swift Creek Elementary, followed by a transition to a music teacher role at Creech Road Elementary. Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advocating for every child's right to education, believing that building strong relationships and creating learning opportunities can unlock each child's potential. For the past seven years, I have led the “Books and Barbershops” literacy initiative and collaborated with the Wake Up and Read community coalition to promote the importance of childhood literacy. I am committed to continuing to grow as a leader to effectively support our students, staff, and community.
Sebastian Shipp, Millbrook Magnet High
#PublicEducationIsACivilRight. As I enter my 30th year in public school education, my work reflects providing all students and families with an educational community that engages each unique voice and personal story. Immediately after graduating with my Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I began my WCPSS tenure at Garner Senior High School as a mathematics teacher. After seven wonderful years and completing my Master’s in School Administration from North Carolina State University, I moved into administrative roles at both East Wake High School and now, Millbrook Magnet High School. I lead and facilitate through an equity lens that believes all students own the capacity to participate daily in meaningful, relevant educational experiences that supports both personal, career, and academic goals and deserve the right to engage in that manner. With my peers, I work to build educators’ capacity to improve student outcomes, reflect on instructional practices through peer dialogue and instructional walkthroughs, and attend to student needs regularly through academic and socio-emotional support structures. Partnering with the WCPSS Office of Equity Affairs, I have catapulted both the faculty equity team and student equity team into reflective work related to Millbrook Magnet’s community and culture. This focus has led Millbrook Magnet High School to continue as a certified magnet school, earn recently Magnet School of Excellence recognition, and continue with school graduation rates above 90%. I also serve as one of the WCDPAP High School AP Directors and a member of the WCDPAP Equity committee. As stated by activist Malala Yousafzai, “I raise my voice - not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.” My career is dedicated to the advocacy of the unique voices and stories of every student every day.
Lakeisha Smith, Leesville Road Middle
Lakeshia Smith (Keshia), is a dedicated educator, renowned for her leadership and commitment to student success. As the assistant principal at Leesville Road Middle School (LRMS), Keshia has played a crucial role in cultivating a positive school culture and advancing academic excellence through her work with the school and broader community. Keshia’s journey in education began uniquely. At the age of 12, she started at the Girls Club in Raleigh. It was through her involvement with this club that she discovered her passion for educating children. Her experiences and guidance of influential educators in Wake County Public Schools solidified her commitment to teaching. After starting her career in 2015, Keshia quickly earned a reputation for her innovative methods and genuine connections with staff, students, and families. Her passion and dedication led her to pursue a role in school administration to impact on a larger platform. Serving three years at LRMS, Keshia has led several initiatives with a focus on equity. Notably, she relaunched the Equity Team, actively involved in WCPSS’s Equity Committee, Equity Collaborative, and Future Teachers Program. She recently introduced BUnique, a club celebrating individuality and diversity, to enhance student performance and social-emotional learning fostering, a sense of belonging. Keshia’s leadership is defined by her collaborative approach, strong relationship-building, and dedication to creating a safe, inclusive learning environment. Beyond school, she volunteers with the Triangle Young Professional Civitan, supporting community initiatives. Keshia’s innovative strategies and heartfelt commitment continue to make a profound impact on her school and surrounding community.
