I am excited to introduce myself as the PROUD Principal of River Oaks Middle School. As an educational leader of 23 years, I am beyond elated and honored to serve our school community for many years to come! I currently hold a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from North Carolina Central University, Master of Arts in Executive Leadership from Gardner-Webb University and am currently working toward receiving my Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from High Point University.

I am an innovative thinker; whose passion has been to establish resources that will benefit the needs of our students. I am a huge advocate of operating in the mindset “boots on the ground” therefore I bring a willingness to be supportive, visible and accessible and to model the desired behaviors and actions surrounding the work. Ultimately, I lead in LOVE: I Listen, I Observe, I Value, and make sure decisions are Ethical and Equitable. I will always maintain a student-centered focus, with a specific lens on addressing equity issues and academic achievement in schools.I believe that every child is deserving of a high-quality education, regardlessof the zip code in which theyreside, or the demographic label assigned to them. Our students at River Oaks Middle School are diverse, brilliant, and filled with potential! I do not take my role in leading our school community lightly.

I believe that teachers are the greatest influencers of academic success in a child’s life. As a school community, we will work every day with our families and community to cultivate students that are INNOVATIVE LEADERS. At River Oaks Middle School, we create an empowering culture that fosters critical thinking, problem solving, and achievement.

We, at ROMS,are committed and dedicated to the work of educating our students! I believe that we are better together and that we must engage our whole community in the future successof our students. I'm looking forward to working collectivelywith all of our stakeholders to accomplish this.Please feel free to contact me as we work diligently to moving River Oaks Middle School forward, I would love to hear from you.

For our students,

Courtney E. Blake