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Story by Kim Grizzard Photos by Willow Abbey Mercando

Dudley does

everything for students

It is not uncommon for students, especially younger ones, to imagine that their teachers must live at school. But at G.R. Whitfield, even some of the middle-schoolers have to wonder about Todd Dudley.

It’s not just that he enters his classroom about 6 a.m. and his car may not leave the parking lot until 5 p.m. that could lead people to question. It’s what he does in the 11 hours in between.

Dudley is the first Whitfield staff member some students see when he picks them up on Bus 406 in the morning before arriving back at school to teach seventh-graders. About 10 a.m., he makes his way to the office to report for duty as the school’s assistant principal intern before returning to his classroom to teach another 30 students. After school, he drives a bus, helps coach the baseball team — or both — before heading off to complete his graduate school course work.

“I enjoy it so much I don’t even realize it,” Dudley, 48, said. “But when you write it down… that does look like a lot. My wife (Martha) says have a problem with not being able to say no, so try to fit it in.”

Dudley checked off one thing off his to-do list May 6 when he graduated

with his master of school administration degree from East Carolina University. It’s his second master’s and third ECU degree in seven years, which is especially noteworthy considering that this husband and father of two didn’t enroll in college until he was 38. Before that, the Kinston native spent 20 years in the Navy, where his work with an aviation squadron took him to more than 30 countries.

“I always wanted to go back to college, but I was deployed all the time,” he said. “It came down to a choice for me of staying in or being with my kids.”

Dudley chose the kids, returning to Greenville, where his son and daughter had moved with their mother. His military career behind him, he began to consider what skills he had acquired that might be best suited for civilian life.

In the Navy, Dudley had enjoyed working with new recruits, mentoring them and helping to direct them to more positive influences. Observing students at C.M. Eppes Middle School showed him that he would have similar responsibilities in the classroom, so he enrolled at ECU in 2012 to study middle grades education.

When he went to pay his tuition, a finance office employee said, “What’s your child’s name?”

“It was weird,” Dudley said, laughing. “I’d walk into class, and people would think I was the professor.”

Four years later, he joined the staff at

Whitfield as a math and science teacher.

Within two years, he had added coaching to his list of responsibilities, even as he returned to ECU to pursue a graduate degree in middle grades mathematics.

“I’m just one of those people,” Dudley said. “I grew up having to work for what I wanted, and I’m not one to sit around and wait for something good to happen.”

His work ethic, which began in his early years with farm labor and a part-time job in high school, is one he has tried to pass on to his son, Will, and daughter, Haley. Both are undergraduate students at ECU.

“I tell them all the time, if I can coach, if I can drive a bus, if can go to college, if I can be an assistant principal intern and teach and send you to school, I think you can find the time to be a good student,” he said.

Dudley expects a similar attitude from students in his classroom, often telling them, “Excuses are nothing but a reason for failure,” and discouraging them from telling him they didn’t “have time” to study.

Whitfield seventh-grader Ryan Edwards said students know better than to make that argument with Dudley.

“If he was to make excuses we would accept it, but he doesn’t make any excuses,” said Ryan, who sees Dudley multiple times a day as teacher, bus driver and baseball coach. “He really works hard.”

But there is a softer side to this former military man, one that incorporates soccer

I tell them all the time, if I can coach, if I can drive a bus, if I can go to college, if I can be an assistant principal intern and teach and send you to school, I think you can find the time to be a good student.

a little bit of

scores into math problems, “just so they can relate and know that I know what they’re doing,” and one who is surprisingly softspoken in the classroom.

“The last thing these kids need is somebody to yell at them,” Dudley said. “If you build those relationships with students and you set the expectations high, think most students don’t want to let their teacher down. They want to make them happy.

“They want to work hard for you because they see you,” he said. “They know we work hard.”

Since he arrived at Whitfield, Dudley has worked to bring numerous upgrades to the school, beginning when he and his father, Billy, spent a summer making tables so students in his classroom could work collaboratively. Afterward, he raised money for chairs to go with them.

“Kids used to call this place G.R. Welfare,” Dudley said. “I didn’t like that, so that turned into raising money.”

Dudley has utilized the crowd-funding platform Donors Choose, along with gifts from local donors, to help provide the school with everything from padding in the gymnasium and Chromebooks in the classroom to playground equipment.

“He makes it happen,” Principal Ashley Wheeler said. “He is my framed picture of what it takes to be all in and be committed to the school.

“He does whatever it takes,” she said. “There’s no job that’s too big or too small for him.”

That’s why when the school was short of bus drivers this year, Dudley, who has his commercial driver license to drive an activity bus as a coach, raised his hand. He points out that fellow teacher Adam Philipps, also a coach, stepped up to cover a bus route this year as well.

“I just love these kids,” Dudley said. “I enjoy spending time with them. One of them told me the other day, ‘Mr. Dudley, I think I spend

more time with you than I spend with my parents.’

“I don’t think people really understand a teacher’s day until they go through it,” he said.

“I don’t think I’m doing anything super-human. I think I’m doing what most teachers do.”

Kim Grizzard is Associate Editor of the Daily Reflector in Greenville.

Julio Morales

An educator and advocate for all

One could compare an educator to an architect who not only uses their training, tools and techniques, but also braces their work with encouragement and inspiration to gradually build and bolster a child from ground up to graduation and beyond.

This is true for Julio Morales, an educator who has devoted his life to the field of public education for nearly twenty years, fifteen of which have been dedicated to Hyde County Schools.

Julio is not only an ardent advocate for improving education at the district, regional and state levels, but he is also committed to bettering life in Hyde County.

Born and raised in Maracay, Venezuela, over two thousand miles away from his home in Engelhard, Julio’s earliest interest in education began at about eight years old.

His mother, Adolfina Isabel Quintero de Morales, currently a principal and a high school teacher of Biology at Unidad Educativa Padre Domingo Segado in San Joaquin, Edo. Caraboba, inspired him to pursue his career in education.

“I would play teacher. My mother would bring me leftover chalk and bought me a small blackboard she hung in my room. would teach a whole class and handle discipline with my siblings and/or toys I had lined up on the floor,” Julio remembered. “I do not remember ever wanting to be anything else as I grew up.”

After graduating high school from Unidad Educativa Padre Domingo Segado in 1995, Julio began his journey in education alternating his undergraduate and graduate coursework between Venezuela and the United States.

“I took basic and advanced English courses at a language academy in Valencia, Venezuela and soon after completing their coursework, I started working for them as an English instructor in 1997 until 2002,” he said.

In 2003, he received his undergraduate degree from Universidad de Carabobo in Valencia, Venezuela with a Licensure in Education Teaching (BA equivalent) with an emphasis in English. Then, in 2011, Julio

received his Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Greensboro College.

When Julio arrived at Hyde County Schools in 2007, he first worked as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher at Mattamuskeet Elementary School.

However, out of a need arising in the school district due to a reduction in force, he began teaching Spanish at Mattamuskeet Early College High School.

“The Superintendent, at the time, was told that I also had certification in teaching Spanish in my license. He asked me to step in to provide high quality face to face courses to our students,” Julio explained.

In addition to teaching ESL and Spanish to children from Pre-K to 12, Julio has also worked as a substitute bus driver. Since 2017, he has worked as an ESL/Spanish Instructor for Beaufort County Community College teaching adults.

In 2009, he created the Mattamuskeet Campus Multicultural Club, which not only allows students to learn about different cultures through participation in cultural and academic activities, but to experience opportunities to grow in leadership.

Currently, Julio serves as the Public Information Officer for Hyde County Schools and teaches ESL part-time.

Julio is a caring, enthusiastic, and dedicated

educator and community member who has the best interest of others at the forefront of the work to which he is committed.

“I love to have that incredible task of shaping up minds for the future. Our job has always been so noble and important for society in general. This purpose alone fuels my love for the field,” said Julio.

“My passion, even though it has always been public education related, has evolved somewhat with the years,” Julio added.

“Initially, I was all about making my classroom students grow and master English and/or Spanish, but it has somewhat refocused on education policy and advocacy at the district, state and federal level.

“Working with my English Language Learning Students is still my main fuel for the work I do, but after learning and realizing that the crucial decisions about Public Schools

from funding to curriculum to testing to resources actually come from individuals who may not be connected or have any experience in education, has really shifted how I dedicate my time in advocating for my students and Public Schools through various professional platforms,” he added.

Aside from his affiliation with Hyde County Schools, Julio serves with a number of professional organizations in which he not only advocates for bettering public education, but also bettering the Hyde County community.

He serves as a member of N.C. Governor Cooper's Teacher Advisory Committee and he is president of the Hyde County Children Center - Board of Directors.

He has been a member of the ESL Consortium in which Hyde County Schools is one of fourteen counties in Eastern North Carolina who advocate for funds, programs

My passion even though it has always been public education related, has evolved somewhat with the years.

Story & Photos by Sandy Carawan

Also, Julio serves the Hyde County community in various roles in the following organizations: North Carolina Community Foundation - Hyde County Affiliate - Board of Directors, member; Hyde County Transit Board of Directors, vice-president; Hyde County Hotline Board of Directors, chairman; Ocracoke Health Center/Engelhard Medical Center Board of Directors, treasurer; Hyde County Department of Social Services – Board of Directors, member; NC State

Employees' Credit Union Board of Directors –Swan Quarter Advisory Board, member; and, 4-H Advisory Committee, member.

Educational and community involvement are important to Julio in which he has the opportunity to serve all people.

“As I started living in Hyde County and learning about its community, students, families and particular nuances, I realized that the county was extensively rich in size and natural resources, but also very deprived of resources and support for its citizens,” said Julio.

“While there have always been local organizations trying to fill that void, I noticed it was a challenge to find citizens who were willing to devote time to help with these organizations, and I also noticed a lack of representation from the Hispanic community and a dire need to reach out to them and their particular needs,” he said. “Therefore, I started jumping at opportunities to join some of the organizations I currently serve and the rest of them, have been invited to partake as they have seen my work and contributions to the

other ones.”

In his spare time, Julio is passionate about activities that promote personal and social well-being.

“I am obsessed with beach days. I love going to the movies, travelling, going to musicals and concerts, and hosting or going to parties with close friends,” said Julio.

Also, he is a self-employed entrepreneur with his business, DJ JM, DJing not only pro bono for school events on the mainland and Ocracoke Island, but also other private gigs in North Carolina and other states.

In his collaboration with others to share ideas and solve problems, Julio is not only paving an easier path for educators and leaders, but he is advocating so all people can learn and live better.

Julio brings great credit upon himself, Hyde County Schools, and the Hyde County community. Julio Morales is truly a treasure.

Sandy Carawan is an English Language Arts teacher at Mattamuskeet Early College High School in Swan Quarter and a longtime contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

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15 14

Following in the footsteps of great educators

Recruited after earning his Bachelors in elementary education from East Carolina University, Jayme Tilley has spent his entire education career – all 16 years of it – teaching and coaching for Greene County Schools.

Now an eight-grade math teacher, math interventionist and athletic director at Greene County Middle School, Tilley has worked hard to build relationships with students and the community while fostering educational and athletic improvements.

His dedication and hard work have earned him the title of 2022-23 Greene County Teacher of the Year for Greene County Middle School and 2011-12 West Greene Elementary School. Pursuing a career in education was

not Tilley’s first choice; instead, he set out to East Carolina University to pursue a career in the medical field.

After taking a few science courses, Tilley discovered this was not the path for him.

“So I started trying to figure out what else to do. liked sports and thought about going into communications for announcing. I actually did some announcing at ECU for student radio and some baseball games,” Tilley said.

To make his decision, Tilley drew from all his life experiences and remembered the mentors and influences he had in his life.

Tilley is a second-generation teacher. His mother taught math in Clinton City Schools until her retirement.

“I’ve been around teaching my whole

life... mom worked hard. She did a great job teaching math and saw how hard she had to work to get those concepts across,” Tilley said, adding he used to work at a daycare for many summers with kids of different age groups.

He also remembered his coaches that made an impact on his life – Jeff Sawvel and Mark Fields.

“Coach Fields and Sawvel coached me athletically and they were also my teachers as well… In the classroom they were very professional. They were excited about what they were teaching.

“On the football field they were still inspired and very positive, but it was a different type of mentality,” he continued. “I thought I wanted to be like that. They were good people and role models and I wanted to be

like them. decided ultimately to go into education because I thought coaching was a great avenue and I enjoyed doing that. I would get to work with the students and I enjoyed teaching.”

In 2006, Tilley began his career with Greene County Schools as a fifth-grade classroom teacher at West Greene Elementary School after he was recruited by Greene County Superintendent Dr. Patrick Miller, who was then principal at West Greene.

“I recruited him like Roy Williams recruits a five-star high school basketball player,” Miller said.

“He turned out to be a fantastic teacher. He builds relationships with his students, especially those male students who are desperately seeking a male role model. He has been nothing short of outstanding during his career thus far in Greene County, both in

the classroom and on the field as a coach.”

Tilley continued to teach at Greene County Intermediate School until 2019, when he decided to transition from a fifth-grade teacher to a middle school teacher. He joined the staff at Greene County Middle School as a sixth-grade math interventionist.

As a middle school teacher, Tilley enjoys being able to watch as his students grow and enjoys seeing the kids progress in their academic career and beyond.

His career progressed with Tilley serving as a seventh-grade math interventionist, then eight-grade math interventionist.

In February, after a vacancy needed to be filled, Tilley accepted the role of an eightgrade teacher.

While building his educational career, Tilley also progressed his athletic career in Greene County. He has served as a football and

baseball coach at Greene Central High School, and now serves as Greene County Middle School’s football coach and Greene Central’s varsity baseball coach as well as the athletic director at the middle school.

As athletic director, Tilley oversees 13 sports and is also responsible for ensuring fields are in proper shape and that equipment, coaching and concession needs are met.

“I am trying to improve athletics in Greene County. We’re going to start a wrestling program and I want to make sure teams that are doing well academically get acknowledged. We also want to do some more fundraising for new uniforms and equipment,” Tilley said.

As a teacher, Tilley is dedicated to his students and strives to help them be better not only academically, but in all aspects.

“A teacher’s job is to try and make that student better – not just academically, but personally. It’s the ultimate goal as a teacher.

Whenever we are working with them it's to improve their life. It’s not an easy thing and I think at the moment not a lot of kids realize what is going on. As they get older they sort of realize that,” Tilley said, adding a highlight of his career is when a student returned and thanked him for his efforts.

The student informed Tilley that they were attending college for counseling. Tilley was surprised since the student’s behavior was more toward the bad side.

“They even said, ‘When I was in middle

A teacher’s job is to try and make that student better - not just academically, but personally. It’s the ultimate goal as a teacher.

Story by Donna Marie Williams

Photos by Donna Marie Williams & Contributed

school I was a terrible kid’,” Tilley said. “‘Something finally clicked and things you taught me in school – want to do that for other kids. I’m going into counseling to try and help kids like you helped me.’ That made me feel good.

“Even though it might not have clicked when they were in my class, down the road, they recognized what teachers were trying to do to help them and make the change,” Tilley added.

He believes building relationships with his students both in the classroom and on the field is the key to success.

“I learned very early on that that was the key to me being successful – just to get to know the kids and to give them the understanding that we have common goals. The goal is to make them successful,” Tilley said.

“I try to make it fun. I throw some jokes out there when I’m teaching. try to look at what I’m teaching through their perspective… With kids, I feel we don’t have anything in common, I try to approach them on something I know they like … They will teach me more new things. love that. It’s a lot of fun when they

teach me something.”

Tilley understands that each student is different and comes from different backgrounds. He keeps these things into consideration with teaching and relationship building.

“How I grew up and how I went through school is completely different from a lot of kids in school today. A lot of these kids have lives I couldn’t imagine,” Tilley said, adding that students may come from tough home environments, have to look after siblings or not have enough food to eat.

“There are various situations that as a teacher you have to remember that. Bringing a pencil to class isn’t really big on their priorities… For some of them, they are just hoping to get up and have breakfast. That’s one of the biggest challenges.”

Tilley also understands that each student learns and receives information differently.

“Learning methods with one kid don’t always work for others. You can’t do something and expect all kids to be challenged the same. Others are going to take more time to figure it out.

“You want to make sure you continue to push kids. It’s a balancing act – continuing to challenge those that need it but not leaving other kids in the dust,” Tilley said.

Through athletics, Tilley also continues to inspire his students and believes that athletics can make for better students in all aspects.

“As a society, we see athletics as a very important thing. A lot of times, people put athletics above academics. I think they can go hand-in-hand with each other. When kids are in sports, academics and behavior are better. Kids that play fall sports when they have nothing to do in the winter they start to get into trouble. Same thing with fall and spring,” Tilley said, adding students are only allowed to do athletics if they meet certain academic requirements.

“One big thing is it gives them a goal,” he continued. “They have made a team and now it’s no longer just them. Also it starts to develop other skills that they may not be developing in the classroom – leadership

is a big one. Confidence is a big one. A lot of kids when they are in school are different kids than when they are on the athletic field. It’s because they don’t feel as comfortable in the classroom. As time goes on some of that confidence in the athletic field translates over to the classroom and you start seeing that confidence moving forward.”

Through his years of teaching, Tilley has had many to inspire him; however, he credits his teaching style to Miller and former coworkers Eric Lynch and Lori Vendemia.

“(Lynch) is the one that showed me that relationships are important to students. He built incredible relationships with the kids… (He) showed me the impact that having those good relationships with kids have. I try to strive for that a lot,” Tilley said, adding he is grateful for Miller’s recruitment and that Miller gave him the opportunity to teach.

“(Vendemia) was an inclusion teacher for 14 years. She showed me the compassionate side of teaching and how important it is to look at students - not just through academic sense - but trying to look at the emotional side and how to build upon that emotional side… She’d bring food for the kids in need or supplies,” Tilley stressed. “After being around that, I try to do the same thing. They are the reason I am the teacher I am today.”

Despite the challenges, Tilley has enjoyed his long career with Greene County Schools and he values the time he has spent with each and every student.

“I enjoy knowing that their lives are being better because of my help – at least I like to think that way. I love going down the hallway and hearing them say ‘Hey Coach Tilley’ or getting hugs on the fields. It’s nice to feel liked, but feel like they respect me and I’m somebody that they look to and are excited to see. It makes me feel good to know I’ve been a positive part of their life,” Tilley said.

Tilley also feels proud to be a part of the Greene County School system, which he describes as unique and community centered.

“Greene County is unique because unlike surrounding counties everybody comes to this school system. Everybody is sort of one

unit. It’s different cities… but they are all coming to Greene County schools. That’s just awesome. It really is just a unique area and there is a lot of unity with that. People take a lot of pride from being in Greene County,” Tilley said.

“Greene County does well with community support and being a smaller area, you do get that community support in a lot of areas. There are not too many counties where you see the superintendent at least once a week… Greene county is special for that reason everybody knows everybody else and everybody's job is to help everyone else.”

Donna Marie Williams is a freelance writer and regular contributed to Eastern North Carolina Living.

Dr.Robert C. Mills, OD Dr.Scott Matthews, OD

‘Dr. B’ is Edgecombe’s ‘super proud’ superintendent

Story by John H. Walker Photos Contributed

a lifelong educator, was a great influence in her decision to leave her job as an auditor in the state auditor’s office and enter education.

“My mother… absolutely loved being in her classroom, and visiting, just seeing the magic happen, each day that I happened by, would say ‘A little bit longer, a little bit longer.’”

Bridges made the decision to become a teacher, even if it did mean a cut in pay on the way to an increased emotional reward.

Matt Smith, principal of Edgecombe Early College High School (EECHS) and the 2019 North Carolina Principal of the Year, told EdNC of Bridges’ approach.

“We know her as ‘Dr. B.,’ a school leader brave enough to tell kids she loves them, strong enough to take on the status quo and grounded enough to keep kids and equity at the center of all our work here in Edgecombe County Public Schools,” he said. “She is the kind of leader who runs toward the fire.

principals and the students — had worked to be ready for those tests and believe that had we had the opportunity (to test), we would have had 14 of 14 schools meet or exceed expectations.”

But if one is looking for Valerie Bridges to be in line to grab the credit for the district’s accomplishments, think again.

“It’s a collaborative effort,” she recently told the Golden K. “We are blessed with staff members and teachers who have signed on to what we’re working to accomplish. If it wasn’t a team effort, we couldn’t be successful.”

She worked in both Guilford and Wake counties as a high school teacher, middle school assistant principal and elementary principal before heading east to Washington County, where she was director of curriculum and instruction before being named assistant superintendent. From Washington County, she came to ECPS as superintendent in 2017.

Dr. B proudly tells anyone who will listen about the level of work that goes on at ECPS.

“Our entire Edgecombe community trusts Dr. Bridges,” he continued. “Time and time again, through the daily grind, two 500-year floods, the pandemic, Dr. Bridges has been our anchor, our rock, our compass. Her moral courage and equity-centered leadership inspire all of us.”

Innovation is a word that comes to mind when discussing Bridges.

Like the Scholar Teachers Program.

tudents, faculty and staff in the Edgecombe County Public Schools (ECPS) call her “Dr. B,” and she’s almost gotten to the point where she doesn’t blush when ECPS Board President Raymond Privott introduces her as “Our very own North Carolina state superintendent of the year.”

But it’s a fact.

Last Nov. 11, “Dr. B” was named the 2022 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year — out of 151 school superintendents in the state and from a field of eight regional winners who were eligible for the award.

After she’s introduced, Bridges tells her audience, “I am Dr. Valerie Bridges, super proud superintendent of the Edgecombe County Public Schools.”

There’s no doubt in her voice that she’s proud to represent Edgecombe County and enjoys being able to take in the reaction as

people hear the list of accomplishments recorded by a school district long-labeled as behind the curve in North Carolina.

As an example, Bridges points out that ECPS has gone from having six schools meet or exceed state accountability standards and eight failing the year before she was named superintendent to 12 making the grade and two falling short in 2018-2019.

“Is that good enough?” she asked the Tarboro Golden K Kiwanis recently. “No … 14 of 14 is good enough.”

And you can hear the pride in her voice when she tells whatever group she’s addressing that “their schools” were ready for the tests in 2020, only to have the worldwide pandemic force the doors closed.

“We were ready,” she says with the confidence of a general leading troops into battle.

“Everyone — the teachers, the aides, the

And if being the CEO of a 5,800-student school district that is beset by aging buildings and a county that’s strapped financially isn’t enough, she also has the ultimate responsibility for developing a plan for the potential “demerger” of the 1,800 students who live on the Edgecombe County side of Rocky Mount, but attend Nash County Schools.

In addition to the day-to-day business of running the system, she and the administrative team she has assembled have just completed three informational meetings to make the Rocky Mount community — at least the Edgecombe County portion — aware of the progress underway at ECPS and how the demerger would affect them.

While the decision to separate has yet to be made by Edgecombe County’s Board of Commissioners, Dr. B and her staff have a plan in place if and when it comes.

In an article that appeared in www.ednc. org, Bridges notes that her mother, who was

“We’re been grinding pretty hard,” she said. “We don’t give up and we’ve been bold enough to believe that we really can make a difference in our community and with our kids.”

For example, ECPS has partnered with the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office in a program called “A Will to Live,” where students who have an attitude problem regarding authority — and their parents — spend time each month with a deputy committed to working with the student.

“It takes a while,” she admits, “but I’ve seen the progress and I’ve seen deputies giving students their personal cell number to call if they find themselves needing someone to talk to.”

Bridges said that while all of the students are from ECPS, there have been 31 in the program and she believes it can help them avoid more serious situations as they age.

“Some of these (students) have been running their homes, and that’s not good. They have respect for others and this program helps work to change that,” she said.

Because it is not always easy to attract a teacher to Edgecombe County — or retain them once they’ve arrived — the Scholar Teachers Program was developed.

As part of the program, EECHS graduates who want to become teachers can apply to be part of the program. If selected, they receive $10,000 annually for three years and then return home to teach for three years.

We’ve been grinding pretty hard. We don’t give up and we’ve been told enough to believe that we really can make a difference in our community and with our kids.

“They are well-prepared and committed,” Bridges told the Golden K. “We believe that once they get in the classroom and stay for three years, we have a great chance to retain them.”

As such, they know what’s not available in Edgecombe because it is home and they have a support system already in-place. Bridges said the first three students from

the program will join the ECPS faculty this fall.

“But they are already coming in and teaching on Fridays,” she said, explaining that the students have already earned their certification.

And not only does ECPS get trained teachers, they get trained teachers who aren’t worried about a massive debt.

“We think it’s a win-win,” she said.

Dr. Bridges has more than 30 years’ experience as a North Carolina teacher and administrator. She has a BS in accounting from UNC-Wilmington, a master’s in education from Meredith College, her teacher certification from St. Augustine’s College and a master’s in school administration and a doctorate in educational research and leadership from N.C. State.

She and her husband, Ronnie, have two children and she is committed to helping the school children of Edgecombe County be successful and productive members of the community.

John H. Walker is a Staff Writer for Eastern North Carolina Living and the Rocky Mount Telegram.

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Dr. White believes in eastern North Carolina

Story by Tyler Newman Photos Contributed

If one was an elementary or middle school student in Chowan or Perquimans counties in the last 20 years, chances are they knew Dr. Michelle White.

White, who currently serves as principal of Chowan Middle School, has been in the world of education since 2002. But in reality, her inspiration takes her back even farther, to her own grade school years in Bertie County.

“I was a child with a smaller window of opportunity than some,” White said. “My mom worked two, sometimes three jobs. I got where am because I had teachers who believed in me.”

White says that her band teacher, Marsha Smithwick, was instrumental in guiding her to where she is today.

“She showed me a world I may not have seen otherwise,” White said of her former teacher. “Music became my thing and I went on to East Carolina University on a full ride for music.”

Through her experiences in Bertie County, White wanted to have an impact on children the same way her teachers impacted her.

“Ms. Smithwick saw something special in me and I wanted to be able to do that for other kids,” she said. “If you want an opportunity or a way out of a corner, education is a way to get you out.”

Her pursuit – and awarding – of a music degree eventually translated into a new hire for Perquimans County Schools back in 2002. At the time, the district’s K-2

elementary school – Perquimans Central –could not afford an art teacher in the budget, so White was hired as both a music and an art teacher.

One of her fondest memories at Perquimans Central in the 2000s was putting on musicals for the little ones. Second graders would do things like Christmas plays, while students in pre-K and kindergarten had curriculum-based musicals and plays with rhyming parts – to teach them material while having fun.

“I used to write the musicals for the school and tried to show every child how brilliant they were,” she said. “Every child had a speaking role. The kids became stars. Having those kids on stage, whether you’re an athlete or musically talented or neither, it brought them and the community together and it was really magical.”

While as a teacher in Perquimans County, she was named Teacher of the Year, was a runner-up for Regional Teacher of the Year, Rotary Teacher of the Year and a finalist for National Disney Teacher of the Year –coming in the top 100 nationwide.

Over the next ten years, she eventually ascended to gain more administrative roles. Wearing multiple hats at Perquimans Central, White gained skills to act as an instructional coach, a technological facilitator and an assistant principal. These roles gave her a more diverse background that helped her eventually land principal jobs in the future.

Perquimans Central was – at that time

– a K-12 IMPACT School, which allowed it to receive over $1 million for innovative technology in classrooms. Utilizing this technology only enhanced White’s resume as an educator.

White also gained two master’s degrees in both instructional technology and school leadership during that period – the latter of which coming from a free program at Elizabeth City State University in which she was chosen from her school district to obtain the degree.

White says that her path towards a job as principal stemmed from her original inspiration in Bertie County: making an impact on students. Only this time, she realized she could impact even more students as a principal compared to as a teacher or facilitator.

Not long after adding a second master’s degree to her belt, White found her way to Chowan County, where she was hired as principal of White Oak Elementary School.

Taking her learned skills from Perquimans,

White oversaw an increase in student achievement by 20-30 percent during her tenure at White Oak. She focused her efforts on both Universal Pre-K and school readiness and strived to bring the community into the school to help bring children up to where they needed to be.

“I was at White Oak for about three years and a lot of gains were made,” White said.

“Towards the end of my time there, I learned that D.F. Walker Elementary was not doing well, it was performing as a D-rated school, a low performing school. Superintendent (Rob) Jackson asked me to move there, so did.”

Moving up to D.F. Walker Elementary School – home to grades three through five –White oversaw enormous growth, which soon became the only school in North Carolina to move from a D-rated to a B-rated “high growth” school within just two years.

In November 2019, D.F. Walker also won a prestigious national award with White at the helm: recognition as a National Title I

Distinguished School. A result of massive growth, White says that the honor was a huge achievement for the school and one of the crowning moments of her two decade career thus far.

“Being named a National Title I Distinguished School represented that we had taken a school truly from one of the lowest performing in North Carolina to the very top,” White said. “It’s about what that did for the kids. They came and interviewed students, parents and staff, it was very real for us. Hearing those parents talk about our school and the positive impact it had on their children was amazing.”

In January 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, White was asked again to move, this time to Chowan Middle School. At the time, Chowan Middle had been suffering from its own internal issues. During her stay here, White leaned heavily into her goal of seeking to make an impact on her students.

She showed me a world I may not have seen otherwise. Music became my thing and I went on to East Carolina University on a full ride for music.

“Some of these middle school kids didn’t have someone telling them their worth and telling them to know their talents,” White said. “Middle school is a tough part of your life and we’re almost preaching to them so they can understand what’s out there. We have a lot of poverty here, children don’t always have that exposure to opportunities. It’s important to me to expose them to possibilities.”

White says that students – especially while young – only see “their little section of the world,” and that creating a culture of expectation in the school, one where everyone has worth, is critical.

Chowan Middle soon saw a rapid turnaround. Discipline issues declined, behaviors improved, grades rose and the school was on a rebound course. Upon the arrival of COVID-19, the school was ready to transition to virtual learning and became 100 percent remote within just two days of shutting down.

Soon after, the school was named a “National Middle School to Watch.”

Perhaps the most notable facet of White’s time in Edenton-Chowan Schools is the “Find Your Fit” initiative at Chowan Middle. Tying into the district’s strategic vision for growth, White says that the goal behind “Find Your Fit” was to help inspire students to discover what they love and are good at. The initiative also aims to close opportunity gaps that students face in the district.

“We challenged all the kids to participate in at least one activity for a year to find their fit,” White said. “We talk about it in our school news broadcast, we have suggestion boxes for the kids too. If we don’t have the fit they want,

we will try and get it. Someone with the cure for cancer or the next president may be sitting in a seventh grade classroom right now and we want them to find their fit.”

One example is the school’s guitar club. It was requested by students and now nearly 20 of them are involved. The club also recently was the recipient of grant funds.

While in Chowan County, White has won Principal of the Year three times and Regional Principal of the Year twice, also representing North Carolina educators in Washington, D.C.

She also garnered a doctoral degree from Wingate University during this time, managing online classes while both leading her school and raising her children.

As White sat in her office at Chowan Middle recounting her time so far as an educator, just behind her, numerous awards and recognitions are assorted on shelves around her desk, alongside photos of her family and achievements. Products of a fruitful career with students, staff and the community.

“It’s not just me doing these things though,” she said. “It’s also our office staff, bus drivers, custodians – education brings people together in the best interest of children and that is the best thing in the world.”

While the awards and school recognitions are all something to be tremendously proud of, White says that her favorite part of being an educator is the ability to touch the lives of children.

“Making a difference,” she says. “Teaching is not easy; it’s difficult. People look from the outside and think it’s one thing, but once you get in it’s something else. As a principal, I want to be there for my teachers, I want to be the

support that sees the best in them. I want to be the person there to listen and help them be their best and to be better teachers for the kids.”

She also says she cannot see herself in anything but education.

“No, it’ll always be education,” she said. “I’ll always be doing it some way or another.

I can’t see myself not doing it. I’m a bit of a workaholic, I love what I do. Twenty years in and even at retirement age, I’ll still be doing it. The reward is too great.”

Looking forward, White says her aims will always be towards the betterment of this rural corner of North Carolina.

“My passion is northeast North Carolina. I’m from here, I know the unique challenges we face here,” she said. “It’s very rural, very difficult to get services that children need in this area, it’s hard to recruit teachers to this area. When kids graduate, they may not want to come back to a place like this. I want to help any way I can, to help public school systems in this area be successful.”

White is taking that aspiration to the next level, having just accepted a position to become Assistant Superintendent of Hertford County Schools on July 1 of this year. For her, it’s another opportunity to have an even larger impact on a greater number of children.

“I’m going wherever God calls me to help me make northeast North Carolina successful,” White said. “I’m so passionately thankful to be able to give back to the schools and the region that gave so much to me. want to make it even better, want to make it the best.”

Tyler Newman is a Staff Writer for Eastern North Carolina Living and the Chowan Herald.

A life well spent at PCA

arcy Morgan has been attending Pungo Christian Academy (PCA) in Beaufort County for over 40 years.

“I truly can say I have been here since I was five,” she said.

Except for the few years she was at Campbell University, earning her undergraduate degree; and completing her masters degree at East Carolina University, PCA has been her life.

Now, she is Head of School at PCA, and no one is more surprised than she is.

“When I graduated from high school, I thought I would never come home,” she admitted.

In December of 1999, after earning her degree in Public Administration and History, she moved back to Pungo and started working in the family business, Shavender Trucking.

Three months later, she was teaching at PCA.

Morgan’s father was Chairman of the Board of the school at the time.

“The first week of March [2000], they fired the history teacher, and my dad asked

me to [fill in],” she said. She was surprised how much she loved it.

For two years, Morgan worked part-time at both Shavender Trucking and PCA – teaching and helping coach.

“The third year, I left to finish graduate school,” she added,

After earning her masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and Child Development and Family Relations, she stopped by PCA one day and did not recognize the school she had grown up in.

“I was not happy with the state of affairs. There was a lack of discipline,” Morgan said. “I asked my dad what was going on. He said, ‘If you think you can fix it, go over there and fix it.I told him, ‘I think I can.’”

The school was void of consistent leadership.

“They had at least seven administrators in an eight- or nine-year period,” she added.

Enrollment had plummeted from around 130 students to 81.

“It was on the verge of closing,” Morgan said. “They hired me that summer - and have been here ever since.”

At first, she only wanted to keep the school from closing.

“I decided to give it three years,” she recalls.

Twenty years later, she is still there - and enrollment has increased 200-fold.

At some point, she realized her life’s work was the place which held many of her fondest memories.

“I wanted my own children to have the same experience I had. That was a major motivator for me to come back and work here,” she said.

Her children - Macy, 22, is a graduate of PCA; and Michel, 17, is an upcoming senior at the school.

Morgan remembers the closeness students had with staff growing up.

“We had a lot of support and love. There was a cohesiveness. You felt important,” she explained.

Morgan tries to create a similar atmosphere. One way she does this is by calling each student by name.

“I want them to know they are important,” she continued.

She also attempts to attend home games

and other extracurricular activities.

“I try to make a connection with them outside of school, so they know I care,” she said.

Hiring Morgan was a turning point for the school, founded in 1967.

“We went from 81 students to 220 students; then after COVID, we went to 280 students,” she said.

Staff and faculty have doubled from 13 to 37.

The school’s eighth grade now has a waiting list, which stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic when schools across the state were shut down unexpectedly.

“In March of 2020, I was about to have a nervous breakdown. I thought, ‘Why would people pay tuition to be at home?’,” she recalled.

“But my teachers did a phenomenal job. From March to May, they had online class every day. Students turned in work every day. They had times they had to be in the ‘classroom.’ We did the best we could in the situation we were in.

“Thankfully and prayerfully, everyone paid tuition,” she continued.

In the fall, “we knew we had to go back to school face-to-face,” she said.

Enrollment soared.

“We picked up 75 students in two weeks because public schools were not sure they were going to meet in-person. I thought we would ride this wave for a year, then everything would go back to normal,” she said. But students stayed.

“I can’t tell you how many people we’ve turned away,” she added. “We just don’t have the room. Our teachers are used to teaching 12-15 students, not 20.”

Growth has brought its share of pains.

The library, storage rooms and the gym have all served as classrooms, as well as a church across the street.

“Building is definitely in our long-term plan,” Morgan said.

Athletics also have expanded.

“There has been an explosion in sports teams and sports’ success,” Morgan said.

Finding practice space has been an ongoing challenge.

“On any given Tuesday [in Spring] we can have six different sports teams [practicing] at four different spots,” she said.

Morgan feels people are drawn to the

school because of the Christian atmosphere.

“The teachers are not here because of a retirement plan, health insurance plan or a big paycheck. They see it as a calling,” she added. “I have an amazing staff. We don’t have a lot of turnover.

“Our number one goal is to teach students how to be a good Christian and live a good life,” she said. “And the number two goal is to educate them and prepare them for the next goal in life.”

Students commute from several counties including Tyrrell, Washington, Hyde, Craven and Pitt. Some drive over an hour.

Morgan, who lives five minutes from the school, knows she is where she is supposed to be.

In hindsight, her master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and Child Development and

This school is a big part of who I am and what I do. It requires a lot of time. But also I recognize I can’t do everything.

Story & Photos by Deborah Griffin

Family Relations has been instrumental.

“Things learned as a therapist come in handy in dealing with children and families,” she said.

Morgan may have grown up at PCA, but she also helped grow PCA.

“This school is a big part of who I am and what I do. It requires a lot of time. But a lot of that time was spent with my children,” she added.

Morgan said she is learning to step back – a little bit at a time.

“I definitely think I was a micromanager when I started. I’ve had to learn to let go and delegate. That has been hard for me. But also I recognize I can’t do everything,” she said.

“Whatever your job is, I think you have to love what you do. feel very blessed I have had a job, where for 23 years I wanted to come to work,” she added. “I honestly don’t know what else I would want to do.”

Deborah Griffin is a Staff Writer for Eastern North Carolina Living and The Enterprise.

“

Tyrrell

Talley’s ‘All In’ with education, enthusiasm

Story by John Foley Photos Contributed

I’m all in. You have to be today. You have to be all in”, said Dr. Wayne Talley, interim Principal of Tyrrell Elementary School.

Talley wears his ‘all in’ enthusiasm on the breast pocket of his Navy Blue Blazer, broadly boasting “TES BULLDOGS’ which he had embroidered in red.

As an educator for 35 years, Tally has been around the educational block and has the background, experience and stories to prove it.

He began his teaching career in 1976, teaching high school science and biology in Athens, Georgia, where he stayed the first eight years of his teaching career. He received his Masters Degree from Troy State in Alabama, and his Doctorate Degree from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

After 13 years as an educator and 23 as an administrator, Talley made the decision to retire in 2011 from his position as School Superintendent in Edgecombe County.

He had sailing, scuba diving and fishing in his sites and while he loved education, he

had dedicated his life to it and now wanted to “spend more time fishing with my wife.”

Plans often change.

“During the summer of 2021, while visiting my son in Florida I received a call from Tyrrell County Superintendent Oliver Holley asking if I’d be interested in an interim principal position in Columbia. When I returned home I agreed to take the position for a couple of months. Well, as fate and providence would have it and Christmas neared, was asked to stay until June of this year,” the principal said with a smile.

After beginning his career 46 years ago, the changes he has experienced throughout that journey have been substantial.

“There are several factors that have radically changed education since the midseventies. The state statute 94-142 which provided a free public education to students with handicap conditions was critical and a major plus for all students,” he said.

Talley also professes accountability on all levels of education, from the board of education members down, has shaped a

more competitive educational system in the United States creating a more balanced world.

“I am concerned about technology. Our students are more worldly, technologically savvy and simply smarter than ever before. This is terrific,” Talley said. “However, screen time does not mean full time. We have to have balance and really believe computer programs should be used to supplement teacher engagement.”

Talley has his educational roots planted in teacher-student relationships.

“In order for schools to be successful, the systems implemented must synchronize with the home and community. Teachers need to realize and accept there may not be adequate home support, but once teachers understand this, children may be supplemented by various programs within or outside the school to positively fill the void. That’s where computers could play a more important role,” Dr. Talley said.

Talley is saddened by the recent increase in mass school shootings.

The former Superintendent explained

when he was an assistant principal at a large high school in 1994-1995 two of the schools in his district petitioned the school board for security officers. Talley was opposed to the suggestion.

“I was absolutely and totally opposed to the idea of a full time uniformed office on my campus. Our county school was not inundated with gangs, drugs or frequent off campus visitors. Therefore I opposed it,”

Talley said, adding “Sadly because of the culture in our country almost all schools K-12 have an SRO. It’s needed protection and I think, I hope, it deters crime.”

Today, Talley looks to the future of education and his involvement in it as a blessing.

“Somehow I was given this gift of being able to serve another public school, it’s students, the community, the staff and faculty after ten years in retirement. It’s like a dream come true that I never dreamt could happen,” the former retiree said, shaking his head while smiling.

“I’m a better person now. For some reason, every decision I’m making is child first and child centered. I have always believed that, but now I actually live by it,” he stressed.

Talley is the constant salesperson for

It was a team effort, just about every staff member had a hand in every aspect of the event. It was extremely important for the cohesiveness of the faculty to pull together in one harmonious direction to show off the talents of the school.

Tyrrell Elementary School.

During the April school board meeting in the midst of his report to the Tyrrell County School Board, he had no problem hawking tickets to the school board members for his upcoming Science and Book Fair Night featuring the students’ science project creations and dinner supplied by Captain Bob’s.

The success of the evening is what sparks Talley’s enthusiasm and passion.

COVID shut down any activities for the school. Tyrrell Elementary’s April 6 Science and Scholastic Book Night attracted an overwhelming turnout of staff, students and parents.

Talley was almost on his feet with excitement when he explained the Tyrrell team sold 700 plates of food at $10 each and the media center sold over $6,000 in books and other media tools.

“It was a team effort. Just about every staff member had a hand in every aspect of the event. It was extremely important for the cohesiveness of the faculty to pull together in one harmonious direction to show off the talents of the school,” Talley said proudly.

“Like Tom Brady and Michael Jordan - speaking figuratively, of course - ‘I’ll reretire, but never.’ I’m waiting for another opportunity to leave something good behind for education,” the coach said, blue blazer over his shoulder, boasting Bulldogs.

John Foley is a retired newspaper editor and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

Daughter

o their surprise, Kristen Greene and Michelle Mobley are like mother, like daughter.

All her life Kristen, 23, watched her mother interact with children as a teacher and later, as principal.

In fact, Kristen was born the year Mobley began her teaching career.

As she grew up in Martin County Schools, she loved helping her mom decorate and prepare her classrooms for each new school year. But, she didn’t think the classroom was where she would end up.

“In mom’s classrooms - I remember thinking, ‘I want to do something different’,” Kristen said.

Mobley added, “She and her brother, Brendan, have been in every class was in, at every school. They helped me clean out, paint - anything I needed. They have always been at school. It’s what she knew.”

Greene graduated from Riverside High School in Williamston in 2017 and headed to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) to pursue a degree in Marine Biology.

But after a year away from home, she came

home and visited Mobley at school, who was then assistant principal at the former East End Elementary. She had a revelation. Deep down, she really did want to teach.

“Mary Lane Baker was teaching third grade [at East End]. wanted to see her, so I just hung out in her classroom and loved it. I loved everything about it. I was only in there maybe 30 minutes to an hour. I watched her teach and the kids were just so sweet. You could tell they meant a lot to her and vice-versa.”

Kristen also realized she was homesick.

“I missed being here. I realized I can’t do

Marine Biology in Martin County,” she said, laughing.

She transferred to East Carolina University to finish her degree, this time in Elementary Education.

She graduated in December and by January, Kristen was teaching fifth-grade Math and Science at South Creek Elementary School, where her mother had been principal the year before.

While Kristen was earning her degree, Robersonville schools had several changes. East End Elementary closed and South Creek Middle School became South Creek Elementary. (The middle school and high school were combined at the high school.)

“The cool thing now is, a lot of the kids I had in Kindergarten and first grade [while assistant principal at East End], are now in Kristen’s class,” Mobley said.

Knowing this brought comfort to Kristen, as she was preparing to start her first teaching position in the middle of the year.

“A lot of those kids at East End are now in my class. When I first got there, the classroom was bare. It just looked so sad. Mom was looking at the list of kids - and she said, ‘I know this person, and that person.’ It gave me a peace of mind,” she added.

The children seem to find it comforting as well. One student even told Kristen, “You walk just like your mama, with your heels clicking,” she said. “I walk really fast down the hallway,” she explained.

The highest grade-level Kristen had experience with during her student teaching

was third grade.

“When I got here, didn’t know what to expect with fifth graders. It’s nothing like I thought it would be,” she said. “It’s so different than the younger students. You can actually talk to them about stuff.”

She has 44 students between two classes.

Mobley said it surprised her when Kristen first told her she wanted to teach. She jokingly asked her, “You know you have to like children, right?”

“But then she started teaching,” Mobley said. “And I thought, ‘Oh, she gets it’’”

As Principal of Jamesville Elementary, Mobley has come full circle. She is the same place she did her student teaching almost 25 years ago.

Mobley is right where she wants to be.

“I love it,” she said.

Mobley said she was inspired to go into education because she had great mentors.

“In high school, Vicki Peele let me go to the health department to work in Debbi Rogers’ class. Becky Dadisman was my mentor teacher at the beginning of my career,” she said.

“I owe everything to Susan Peele. I worked for her at two schools and most of my teaching experience. She has been my support for the past 24 years,” she added.

“I feel blessed to be surrounded by great teachers and staff in Martin County.”

Mobley started her career as a teacher at Williamston Primary School and then moved to E.J. Hayes as an Exceptional Children’s (EC) teacher.

She switched to administration about three years ago, after going back to school with a grant.

Mobley has a degree in Elementary Education and Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in Reading and a Master’s in School Administration.

She is thrilled Kristen is following in her footsteps.

“I never encouraged her not to teach,” she said. “We need good teachers in the classroom.”

Deborah Griffin is News Editor of The Enterprise in Martin County and a Staff Writer for Eastern North Carolina Living.

Story & Photos by Deborah Griffin

follows in mother’s footsteps, into the classroom

I never encouraged her not to teach. We need good teachers in the classroom.

Wanda Cofield makes a difference in Bertie County

Story by Lewis Hoggard Photos by Lewis Hoggard & Contributed

Often, adults reminisce about teachers and their impact on our childhood years.

Just about everyone can name a favorite teacher. This edition of Eastern Living is highlighting educators and the role they play in the community.

For Bertie County, one of the best of the community is Wanda Taylor Cofield.

Some would find it hard to believe this well-respected educator was not planning to go to college after she graduated from high school. Wanda had a job working a local retail store, a boyfriend and an automobile, and did not feel the need to go to college. There was not a history of attending college in her family.

Wanda thought she had the world on a string after graduating from Bertie High School. She was convinced to apply to college her senior year, even though she did not desire it.

A history teacher of hers, Robert Copeland, kept asking where she was going to college. He was one of the driving forces that made her apply to a university. She was an excellent pupil in high school and any college would have welcomed her to their student body.

After applying to college and having her pick of schools to attend, she chose Elizabeth City State University mainly

for its closeness in proximity to Powellsville. She also received a full scholarship, which was helpful as her parents were divorced with finances always a concern.

With a full scholarship, she did not have to pay anything, including when she moved to a dorm on campus.

Also, being the baby of the family - she has two sisters and brother - made the decision to leave her mother when she moved on campus a very difficult one. Cofield was never that far away, being in Elizabeth City. She returned from there and has basically remained in Bertie County ever since.

Wanda credits the decision to go to college, and particularly Elizabeth City State University, as one of the best decisions of her life. Her major was not education, but business administration.

Her decision to pursue teaching was not until a few years after graduation following having worked at Lea Lumber company.

At Lea Lumber Company, Wanda worked in the office of Milton Tadlock. Tadlock fondly remembers her as “a very smart and nice young lady.” Milton worked over 42 years at Lea Lumber and served as the plant manager as well as a number of other jobs.

The late William Peele convinced her to leave Lea Lumber and go to work for the school system as a seventh grade math teacher in 1997. Her concentration in business classes meant that she had taken the requisite math courses to be able to teach math without having majored in education.

She has worked for Bertie County Schools ever since, rising from a teacher to an administrator and a principal positively affecting so many students along the way.

Currently, Wanda is serving as the interim principal of the Bertie Early College High School and serves as the Career Technical Education (CTE) director at Bertie County Schools. CTE provides students of all ages with the academic and technical skills, knowledge and training necessary to succeed in future careers and to become lifelong learners.

Bertie County Schools Superintendent Dr. Otis Smallwood exudes “Ms. Wanda Cofield is the epitome of a strong and courageous leader. She builds positive relationships with parents, community and stakeholders, and she treats her students just like her own kids.

Actually, many of the students consider her a second mom. Ms. Cofield knows how to bring out the best in students and she does it all with a big smile.”

Everyone talks about the friendly face and smile.

Cofield loves what she does and she does not hide her exuberance for her students or job. Not to say that there has not been trials and tribulations along the way. Wanda Cofield is a proud breast cancer survivor, who wanted to make sure that fact was included in any article about her.

Superintendent Dr. Smallwood says additionally:

“She even takes on additional responsibilities with a smile. For most of the 2021-22 school year she has served as the Director of CTE for the district while concurrently serving as principal of Bertie Early College High School. This is dedication at its finest and am privileged to be able to work with such a fine professional."

Wanda has never stopped wanting to learn. Later in life, she got her master’s in school administration and also a master’s in curriculum and instruction. She has also been active in community endeavors here in her home county.

Wanda is a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor, a prominent service organization in the area. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, which is the first AfricanAmerican intercollegiate sorority.

Being active in the community in which she works and lives is important to Wanda.

Cofield is proud of her two daughters and her husband, Michael Cofield, who was the boyfriend in high school. They have made their home in the county she grew up. Family makes the effort to succeed worth it as well as rewarding and also keeping everything close to home.

Wanda Cofield is a treasure for Bertie County to be appreciated whether it is at the Bertie Early College High School, director of CTE and Bertie County Schools or in her local Rotary club or for Alpha Kappa Sorority.

Lewis Hoggard is Director of Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

Ms. Wanda Cofield is the epitome of a strong and courageous leader. She builds positive relationships with parents, community and stakeholders and she treats her students like her own kids.

Dr. West remembered for humor, excellence

An award-winning educator, was remembered recently for his ability, personality and style while in the classroom at Nash Community College.

The late Dr. David B. West, 76, was a psychology professor emeritus at NCC when he passed away on April 13. The school paid tribute to his work and legacy on May 12.

“I had the honor to work alongside Dr. West,” said Lisa Cooper, NCC’s Department Chair for Humanities and Social Studies. “Always gracious and kind, with an unmistakable laugh and a style all his own.”

Cooper went on to quote Maya Angelou in honor of Dr. West.

“’I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ I think we can all agree Dr. West made

us feel happy, unburdened, lighter and special. Very special.”

Dr. West spent 33 years at Nash Community College teaching psychology, art history, statistics, computer science and sociology of the family.

For his part, History Professor Dr. Jay Peacock remembered Dr. West’s contributions to NCC and Nash County.

“Dr. West had that remarkable ability to connect,” Dr. Peacock said. “He left an enormous imprint on Nash County and if we could do an impact study on how many lives David West touched in a positive way, it would have to be in the tens of thousands.”

West began working at Nash Community College in 1982 and stayed at his post until retirement in 2015.

Those who worked with him remembered him for his laughter and sense of humor.

“Anyone who knew him absolutely loved the guy,” said retired English Professor Bill O’Boyle. “He was E.T. smart. And his laughter was the greatest thing. I mean, you can almost hear it. If you just get really quiet, you can probably picture David and picture a time when he really picked you up. You didn’t go in and say, ‘Doc, I need some counseling,’ but man you left feeling like you’d had counseling.”

NCC Vice President of Students Mike Latham said Dr. West may have been the best teacher he ever knew.

“Anyone who knew him remembers one of the most distinctive things about him… that laugh,” Latham said. “If you were having a bad day, it just made you feel better.

“He was a great teacher, possibly the greatest teacher I’ve ever known,” he continued. “He had literally generations of adoring students. He was also a great teacher

to his colleagues. Each and every one of us who knew him learned something from him and gained from it. He was my greatest advisor and mentor early in my career.”

Dr. West earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with high honors along with a master of art and doctorate of philosophy degrees in education psychology from Michigan State University. He also completed graduate studies at the University of Minnesota and the University of Georgia.

Following the May service

remembering Dr. West, officials with Nash Community College held a dedication ceremony for the Professor Emeritus Dr. David B. West Memorial Classroom which is room 4216 on the second floor of Building D at NCC.

Gifts in Dr. West’s memory may be made to the Nash Community College Faculty Senate Scholarship, c/o NCC Foundation, P. O. Box 7488, Rocky Mount, NC 27804-0488.

Sarah Davis is a retired librarian and regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

Anyone who knew him remembers one of the most distinctive things about him... his laugh. If you were having a bad day, it just made you feel better.

Story & Photos by Sarah Davis

Perquimans

Laura Duncan wears her passion on her sleeve

Perquimans Central School second grade teacher Laura Duncan, wears her passion for the environment, and especially the endangered Sea Turtle, on her sleeve. Well, actually, her wrist.

Yearly, Duncan shares her passion and knowledge of climate change and environmental protection with her second grade class through a project based learning experience focusing on the diminishing number of Sea Turtles and helping save them.

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Duncan moved to Boone when she was in middle school where her father was an accounting professor at Appalachian State University. She “went over the mountains” to Emory and Henry College in Virginia, and graduated in 1984 with an English degree, along with a minor in mass communications.

After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree in 1986 from Appalachian State, Duncan began her teaching career in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The educator went on to earn a Master’s in Education from Francis Marion University in 1989.

Duncan has taught at Perquimans Central School in Winfall, where she has shared her passion for turtles with her students since moving to the area in 2017.

The fact nearly all species of sea turtle are now classified as endangered, with three of the seven existing species being critically endangered, is the fuel for Duncan’s passion.

“The importance of the sea turtle to all of the ocean ecosystem is enormous when we take steps to help and protect the sea turtle, we do so for all ocean life”, said Duncan as she supervised the daily “Save the Turtle” bracelet production in her second grade homeroom class.

The idea for the Save the Sea Turtle Initiative Project began 14 years ago when Duncan was

living in South Carolina, teaching first graders.

“I grew up going to the coast of Alabama and Mississippi. As a longtime lover of the ocean, these creatures are important to me.”

Duncan said. “A former student came back to my classroom one year to visit my first graders and showed a video of his family watching sea turtle hatchlings making their way to the ocean after hatching from their nest on the beach. That year my students wanted to "know more" about sea turtles so I began this project.”

Yearly, Duncan introduces her class to the plight of the Sea Turtle.

“I have started this inquiry every spring since - it is a favorite of the students, makes a huge impact on the sea turtle hospitals and rescues, and shows the children that learning is not only fun, and exciting, but it is active,” she stressed.

The video was also the catalyst for Duncan and her husband, Lee, to relocate to Hertford.

“I was interested in the N.C. Aquarium and once we moved it was only natural to continue the program,” Duncan said, adding, “With the gorgeous Outer Banks nearby and our sea turtle hospital located at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island I felt it was the perfect time to introduce the program here.

“Through the Aquarium Scholars Program we are able to

take the students on a field trip each spring to view the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rescue (STAR) hospital that we are blessed to have located there. This is our segue into our Sea Turtle Inquiry project each year. It was ironic that when I moved here five years ago, I joined a school staff whose mascot is the turtle. Even our news show is "Turtle TV" It is meant to be.”

Duncan teaches literacy to 34 students each day, so they have all learned about sea turtles and our local marine habitats. It’s Duncan’s homeroom of 18 students that has made most of the bracelets and is also building a website from their research on sea turtles.

“They flooded the school with posters on ways to help. They create advertisements for the bracelets, which sell for $5 each. They developed a large sea turtle storyboard and will film some short "infomercials" for our school TV show this week,” Duncan proudly shared.

Each morning the students work creating the bracelets before class starts and sometimes at the end of the day, making sure there is adequate inventory for the following day’s sales.

“They are doing all of it. I buy the beads and they use their creativity and energy to make bracelets. We have a normal day of learning around it,” she said.

Duncan has combined

They are doing all of it. I buy the beads and they use their creativity and energy to make bracelets.

Story by John Foley

Photos by John Foley & Contributed

learning about the environment and the challenges faced with the basic principles of business under Save the Turtle banner. And while those skills aren’t needed today, the fundamentals they are learning will stick with them.

Being introduced to the fundamentals of sales, marketing, manufacturing, advertising and even the creation of an “infomercial” are all skills the second grade students acquire.

Duncan has set up a manufacturing schedule, developed a sales team, has widespread marketing and advertising posters throughout the school and also has taught bookkeeping and inventory skills. While many businesses are facing labor shortages, that’s not a problem for Duncan.

“Four students sit at the table in the lobby each morning and sell the bracelets, while the rest are in the classroom beading. It has been incredible this year - the first day they sold almost $300 worth of bracelets. We count the money each morning and their excitement and pride builds,” she said.

The class has raised over $2,000 to donate to the N.C. Aquarium Sea Turtle Hospital.

While scientists across the globe preach daily to the masses about the importance of climate change, Duncan is taking a more local, grass roots approach.

“The children realize their efforts make a difference - even at age 6, 7 and 8. They

share their knowledge with the community and make even more of an impact when they share ways we can all help the sea turtles and ocean life. Making a donation to the sea turtle hospital is just icing on the cake.

“I believe climate change is becoming an increasingly important topic for our students to learn about, and be made aware of,” she continued. “I believe awareness is growing and children are ready and able to learn ways they can be "stewards" of the earth and ocean and pass that learning on to their families and community. They want to make environmentally healthy choices. They realize the connectivity we all share to nature and the beautiful animals that live here with us.”

In May, Duncan surprised her students. Before the school year ended, the class had the opportunity to discuss their project and fundraising efforts with Dr. Steven Dunbar, professor of biological sciences and world known sea turtle expert from Loma Linda University in California.

While Duncan’s class may be considered “grassroots” in the global Sea Turtle initiative, her efforts have not been unrecognized as Dunbar is one of the leading Marine Biologists in the world focusing on the Sea Turtle.

“Steve researches turtles with his students in Honduras and does research on sea turtles in Thailand and now Jamaica,” Duncan said. “They track, study and try to understand the

environmental threats endangering sea turtles and hence, all ocean life. He graciously gives his time to answer the students' questions each year. He is incredible. His website is Turtle PROtector.”

According to Perquimans Central Principal Tracey Gregory, the Sea Turtle program is one of the students’ favorite programs.

“You can’t beat project-based learning and Laura is just a remarkable teacher. It’s wonderful to see the excitement the students get from this,” exclaimed Gregory.

The bracelets, complete with a special turtle bead are sold to the PCS students and also parents of the students in her class. Duncan happily reports many Hertford moms received bracelets for Mother’s Day and School Nurse Liz Stallings adds to her bracelet collection yearly.

This month an N.C. Aquarium representative will be visiting Perquimans Central to accept a large check from the students.

“As Einstein said, ‘Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better.’ This applies to children and adults alike.” said Duncan, with an outstretched hand sporting a dozen bracelets from year’s past.

John Foley is a retired newspaper editor and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

by Cal Bryant Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

would Mrs. Johnson do?”

When almost any career educator is asked why he or she is in the profession, the answer is almost always a name, a name of a teacher whose influence has lived far beyond the time and space in which the person was first encountered.

Not only did that person result in another’s entering the field of education, but that person is in some way always channeled in the disciple’s teaching.

In Hertford County, those names include

Ambrose,

their decisions will affect persons at every level, most importantly the students.

been a drum major for Hertford County education throughout his career.

During his time as a student at Elizabeth City State, Hall returned to Hertford County for his internship as a “practice teacher” at R.L. Vann.

As that time was nearing an end, and his graduation was at hand, he was offered a fulltime position at Riverview Elementary School in Murfreesboro. One of the fourth grade teachers was leaving the classroom in order to create a music program for the school, and Hall took her place in the fourth grade classroom, teaching from January to June of that year.

He then ventured to Lawrenceville, Virginia, where his sister was living and taught fifth grade for two years. After marrying a Murfreesboro citizen, the former Bettie Brooks, he returned to the area, teaching for several years at R.L. Vann in Ahoskie.

retirement in 2000.

Since then, he has served as Interim Superintendent of Hertford County Schools on three different occasions and has served as Interim Superintendent of Schools in Northampton County (twice), Warren County Schools and Weldon City Schools (also twice).

In addition to serving as one of nine voting members on the State Board of Education, he also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina School Board Association and as a representative on the North Carolina Athletic Association.

He talks passionately about the studentathlete with the emphasis on student when he mentions House Bill 91 which requires the State Board of Education to become more

supervisory of the North Carolina Athletic Association.

The depth and breadth of his knowledge are evident as others from throughout the state seek his counsel in order to navigate the troubled waters in which they often find themselves.

As he talks about the many roles he has had and the changes he has seen in education since he first “student-taught,” his devotion to the student is evident in all he says, declaring we can’t wait on the education of a child, no matter what circumstances present themselves.

On the subject of charter schools (one of the many changes he has seen), he understands their place (remembering that

Currently serving as an at-large member of the North Carolina State Board of Education, the result of an appointment by N.C. Governor Roy Cooper, Hall has served on the Hertford County Board of Education since 2000.

With the board making policy that must be followed by teachers and administrators at all levels, it is good to have someone with Hall’s background in that role. He understands how

A Hertford County native himself, Hall is also in a position to understand the Hertford County student.

Attending and graduating from C.S. Brown School in Winton, where he served as drum major, Hall then attended Elizabeth City State College (now University) where he also served as drum major.

Although the roles were literal in high school and college, he has metaphorically

He was then offered the position of Human Resources Consultant with the State Department of Education under the leadership of Hertford County native Dr. Dudley Flood. He served in various capacities under the State Department of Education in Raleigh and Region I Center in Williamston: Human Resources Consultant, Alcohol and Drug Consultant, Lead Instructional Specialist and Regional Director for Federal Programs for Migrant and Title programs.

In 1984, he returned to Hertford County as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, a position he held until his

Throughout his career, he has found himself asking “What would Mrs. Johnson do?”

Bowe, Cooper, Daniels, Flood, Gadsden, Little, Matthews, Newsome, SpiveyLoudon and Hall, J. Wendell Hall.

“What

Story by Sarah Davis

Photos

initially there were only to be 100, and they were to be “lab” schools), giving parents a choice in their children’s education, but he would like to see the playing field level.

With 220 charter schools, most not “lab” schools, not bound by the same rules and regulations as the public schools, the charter schools are on a favorable playground.

Of all the situations he has witnessed, none has equaled COVID.

“Navigating through totally uncharted waters, we did the best we could,” he said, adding, “it will be years before we know the full effect of COVID on our students and the education process.”

One of those effects will probably be a decrease in the emphasis on testing. With higher education waiving standardized testing

– at least in the near-future – he believes the lower schools will soon follow. He also believes the same will be true for teacher licensure with methods other than tests to assess aptitude for teaching credentials.

He says the best teacher is “a scholar who knows his or her area, but also cares about students.”

Acknowledging that it can be difficult to care for some students, he recognizes they are possibly the ones who need care the most.

Arguing vehemently that children always need a voice, he wants to see more social workers in the public schools. In order to educate the whole child, educators must understand the child. With the aid of school psychologists and social workers, that can be accomplished.

Discussing the current climate for educators, he recognizes the negative perception too often held.

Noting that we won’t pay our way out of the problems while nevertheless advocating for higher pay for teachers, he champions a system in which teachers feel safe and valued by the school and community.

He feels a mentorship program is essential to producing good teachers, with veteran teachers who have demonstrated their ability to control the classroom while imparting their subject matter leading new teachers for a minimum of two or three years.

Why did he become an educator?

Mrs. Johnson, his first grade teacher in Newport News, Va. Throughout his career, he has found himself asking, “How would Mrs. Johnson do it”?”

Then, he tries to do what she would have done. He has always tried to do for others what she did for him.

He knows Mrs. Johnson saw education as an investment in the future, noting that we must all see it that way, whether on the county, state, or national level.

All of us who have known Wendell Hall and benefited from his many roles in education can thank Mrs. Johnson as we realize what a return has been reaped from her investment.

Sarah Davis is a retired librarian and regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

Working together to lay a strong foundation

Walk into the Pre-Kindergarten classroom in Northampton County’s Central Elementary School and its easy to feel the excitement – not only of the children, but of the teachers as well.

The lead teacher, Queen Boyd, is more than three decades into her journey in education, but is as excited about teaching children now as the day she began. Her assistant, Benketa Harrell Mitchell, is 17 years into her life in education, but is equally as excited.

The two work hand-in-hand to make learning fun and to provide a foundation for lifelong learning that will improve their quality

of life.

“I have never had kids of my own, but I always enjoyed being around children,” Boyd said. “This game me the chance to work with children and found my niche.”

Boyd said her calling to education began when she was in Weldon City Schools as a student. She said a Home Economics Class led to an opportunity to work with students as a volunteer and she never wanted to leave.

“I worked with students in Weldon Elementary School as a tenth grader and was then able to work with students in a daycare in Weldon,” Boyd recalled.

She went on to Elizabeth City State

University to major in early childhood education and continued to work with children during her time there.

Boyd started as a Teacher Assistant in Weldon Elementary’s Pre-K program and started attending Barton College to earn her teacher certification.

“I enjoyed school. I felt it was a challenge,” Boyd said. “I like sharing that love for learning with children.

“I want them to come in and love school,” she continued. “I like to keep them engaged and like to keep them happy in school. want them to go home and tell their parents they love school and love their teachers.”

In addition to her time in Weldon City Schools, Boyd moved on to direct the Head Start program for Halifax County before returning to public schools.

She was drawn to Central Elementary School because she felt it was somewhere she could make a real difference.

“Northampton County is a small-knit community, and they have a need for good teachers,” she said. “The school system is growing academically, but I came here because I felt I could make a difference.

“Pre-K is the foundation,” she said. “We can make a difference for the entire school district by how we lay the foundation. If we start them well, they can go and improve every step of the way.”

Mitchell began her career in education 17 years ago after going to Halifax Community College to earn an associate’s degree in Early Childhood education.

She said her love for teaching students began at an early age.

“Growing up as a child, wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “I would line my baby dolls up and teach them.”

She said the education she received at HCC was instrumental because she got hands-on learning.

“With the degree, you have to go in daycares and intern and work in elementary education,” she said. “That let me know this is what I really wanted to do.”

Like Boyd, Mitchell began in Head Start – first as a parent volunteer then as a bus monitor and teacher assistant before becoming a lead teacher. She stayed in those roles for seven years before coming to Central Elementary School.

She began as a bus driver and first grade teacher assistant before moving to Pre-K seven years ago.

“I love it. I couldn’t have asked for a better field to go in,” she said. “I love seeing them learn.”

She agreed with Boyd as to the importance of starting children off well.

“We lay the foundation of learning before they go into the upper grades,” she said. “We do all we can to make sure they are prepared for kindergarten.”

She said students in the current Pre-K classroom already know their ABCs and can write their name.

Mitchell also said the parents were wonderful and had supported the teachers and students.

Both teachers said the return to the classroom after teaching virtually due to COVID-19 was important.

“I love having them back in the classroom,” Mitchell said. “Virtual learning was so much harder. In the classroom, there are a lot of things you can do to help children learn. Virtually, that was much more difficult.”

Boyd echoed those sentiments.

“We were able to reach most of our goals and did everything we could to be successful,” Boyd said. “It is wonderful

I enjoyed school. I felt it was a challenge. I like sharing that love of learning with children.

Story & Photos by Thadd White

Each woman said the team they have developed together was instrumental in their success.

“She means a great deal to me,” Boyd said of Mitchell. “I couldn’t function as well without her. She stays engaged with the children and does her own time with them.”

Boyd said Mitchell didn’t need to be instructed as to what to do as some teacher assistants do, but was always working.

“She is a great person to work with,” Boyd said. “I couldn’t ask for better.”

Mitchell said the two worked so well together.

“We make a great team,” she said. “We work well together and get the job done. If I need help, I ask and she’s right there. If she needs help, I do the same for her.”

The two know they have at least one more year together as they have both committed to another year at CES.

After that, however, Boyd says it may be time to step away.

“My thought process now is I’ll put in my paperwork in December,” she said. “I think the time for retirement is coming.”

Mitchell disagrees.

“I’m going to do everything can to talk her out of it,” she mused. “We still need her.”

The two plan to make the best of whatever time they have left teaching together and to continue to lay a solid foundation for the future success of students in Northampton County.

Thadd White is Editor of five Adams Publishing Group publications in eastern North Carolina, including Eastern North Carolina Living.

Terry Butler Waters is a cornerstone of Hobgood Charter School in Halifax County.

Serving the school for nearly a halfcentury, she estimates she has taught at least 1,000 students. Her influence has spanned generations, impacting the entire community.

In May, at the school’s end-of-year awards ceremony, Waters was floored when her name was called to come forward and receive the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

The honor is the most prestigious award a citizen in North Carolina can earn, and is bestowed by a sitting North Carolina governor.

According to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society, the award is given to those with exemplary service to the state and their communities; who have gone above and beyond the call of duty; and who have made a significant impact through exceptional accomplishments.

Members of the Hobgood community worked tirelessly to nominate Waters, according to one of her three daughters, Shelly Council.

“She served her community through the school,” Council said. “She is the longest (serving) teacher there.”

People often notice Waters’ car parked at the school on late afternoons and weekends, Council added.

She has touched countless lives as she

Nearly 50 years of dedicated service

served 49 years in the school, which opened in 1970 as Hobgood Academy, a private school.

Waters, now 71, was hired three years later.

“She went there straight out of college, and has been there ever since,” Council said.

Most of her years, she taught fourth grade. Retirement seemingly looms on the horizon.

“Next year will be 50 years. She is probably going to stop after next year, but we don’t think she will hang up her hat completely,” Council added. “She may go to part-time or substituting.”

At the awards ceremony, Council read a summary of Waters’ life, submitted to the office of Gov. Cooper for her nomination of the award.

“Terry Butler Waters, born May 24, 1951, was raised in Scotland Neck. After graduating from Scotland Neck High School in 1969, she attended Atlantic Christian College, (now Barton College) in Wilson. She graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education.”

Waters taught sixth grade her first two years. The next two, she taught seventh, eighth, and ninth grade Health/Physical

Education and Science, and coached girls’ basketball.

“Mom’s fifth year of teaching established a precedent of sorts,” Council said. “This was her first year as a fourth-grade teacher, a position she has now held 45 years. She is known for sharing her love of reading and trivia with her kids, her long-running poetry

book assignments, and her legendary, annual field trips to Washington, D.C. She takes pride in teaching about our state and capital.”

Waters also served in additional roles where needed, such as teaching foreign language for a short time during her planning period. She volunteered as a statistician for several sports teams and served as teacher

Story & Photos by Deborah Griffin

She went there straight out of college, and has been there ever since.

representative for the board of trustees.

Waters’ entire family was in on the surprise of the prestigious award, including her daughters, Brandyn Sorie, a dental hygienist, Tracey Tucker, a nurse, and Council, who provides speech-language therapy services at the school; along with their families, which include Waters’ eight grandchildren.

She has taught at least three generations of families from a three-county service area: Halifax, Edgecombe and Martin Counties.

She taught two of her daughters, along with several nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

“Mom has taught hundreds of children, treating each as if they were her own, being invested in not only in their academic performance, but in future endeavors and achievements, as well,” Council added.

“She remembers every childdemonstrating dedication well-past her duties as a teacher - attending numerous sports events, graduations, weddings, class reunions and funerals,” she added.

“She has become a cornerstone for our town and school,” Council continued. “She served under eight headmasters (or more) with a consistency unparalleled, while demonstrating a willingness to adapt.”

During the awards ceremony, Council said, “It would be difficult to imagine our school without a Mrs. Waters. Just as it would be difficult to consider anyone more deserving of this highest level of acknowledgment and gratitude for her many years of service.”

As Waters accepted the award, she was overcome with emotion.

“This is totally unexpected,” she said. “I have heard of this before, but who would have ever thought I’d be getting an award like this?

I don’t even know if can put into words what this means to me.

“This place has been my second home. I have loved teaching. Other than my own children, this is the highlight of my life. I’m totally in shock,” she added.

“I don’t know what I’ll do after next year - when I say I am going to retire. I’ve already decided I’ll come back and sub, if you all will have me. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than be here,” Waters said. “When am here, I have all my memories.”

She said she briefly considered becoming a hairdresser when she was in high school.

“But I’ve never regretted becoming a teacher. I had the advantage of doing what I wanted to do and be with my children,” she said. “This place is a wonderful place to be. The people, the families - you couldn’t ask for anything better than this school. It has been so important to me.”

Juliana Harris, headmaster of Hobgood Charter School, told the audience at the awards ceremony, “Folks, you just witnessed history and an opportunity that doesn’t come along very frequently.”

Deborah Griffin is the News Editor of The Enterprise in Martin County and a Staff Writer for Eastern North Carolina Living.

Town of Ahoskie

Story by Gene Motley

Photos by William Anthony Photography & Contributed

As a third-generation member of one of the Roanoke-Chowan region’s most noted business families, it may have seemed natural for Jacob Harrell to follow that same path. Instead, from his earliest days he always wanted to be around baseball.

A standout catcher at Merry Hill’s Lawrence Academy at the turn of the century, Harrell followed his sports passion to nearby Elizabeth City State University where he received a baseball scholarship. However, after two seasons, he put his playing days behind him; but not his education, graduating in four years

with a degree in Physical Education. Though at a business career crossroads, he opted instead to enter teaching.

“I always wanted to work with kids,” Harrell said. “Right out of high school I had a baseball coach that kind of showed me the way and how to do things. The way he influenced me

as a coach and a teacher kinda made me want to go in that direction.

“I had a lot of good teachers in high school that made me want to do the same thing for a living,” he added.

One such influence was then-Lawrence Academy’s Robert Kravitz, who established a baseball championship dynasty at the small Bertie County school. Only twice in the past 22 seasons (not counting the lost 2020 COVID season) has Lawrence failed to make at least the state semifinals, in 2003 and 2021, and in the former season, they were undefeated finishing as state runners-up another six times during this century.

After teaching and coaching Harrell, Kravitz invited him to join the Warriors staff as an assistant coach while still in college, and later after he graduated.

“It’s funny that I started off just wanting to coach and teaching was just something that came with it. As I’ve gotten older and I’ve been doing this longer I really enjoy both sides of teaching and coaching,” he noted.

Harrell moved on from Lawrence to Gates County’s Central Middle School and later on to Gates County High teaching Physical Education.

“Once I left Elizabeth City State I went onto the University of West Virginia and got my Masters (of Science) degree in Physical Education,” he revealed.

His current teaching now has a broader appeal.

“Right now I currently teach Advanced Physical Education and Sports Management,” Harrell related. “I have taught Health and PE, but I’ve kind of transitioned from that since I’ve become the Athletic Director. now mainly teach upperclassmen.

“In Advanced PE we really dive into some of the other sports in more detail and there’s a lot less Health involved; it’s more getting into rules and regulations and how the game is played, different strategies,” he continued.

With the advanced group, Harrell provides his students with a more hands-on environment.

“We actually use what’s called the Sports Education model,” he stated. “A lot of the team sports we do the kids will be broken into different teams where they’ll have coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, etc., which they

will actually assign themselves.

“There are practice plans and workout sessions and then we play tournaments at the end,” he added. “So it’s just diving into the sports with a little more detail as far as Advanced PE compared to Health & PE or Introduction to PE.”

Thanks to the success of the curriculum, Sports Management has become popular with the students.

“It’s is something we introduced a couple of years ago. That is really just taking kids behind the scenes of what goes on to run a successful athletic program,” Harrell stressed “This gets them really involved with things like painting the (lines on the) football field or setting up for soccer matches or basketball games. Those kids help in a lot of different ways as they learn to do those things.”

Jacob Harrell could have followed a family tradition; instead he became ‘Teacher of the Year’

In six seasons since taking over as the Red Barons head baseball coach, Harrell has never had a losing campaign, not counting the 2020 COVID year.

In 2022, he finished 13-10 with a young team, but still took second place in the Four Rivers 1A Conference.

“I had a lot of people influence me in high school and this is just what I wanted to do. Obviously, I love baseball and athletics and for me to stay around it as an adult this was definitely the pathway. To me, helping develop our youth is what it’s about.”

Harrell took over the head coaching duties from now-GCHS Principal Jonathan Hayes.

Along with Kravitz, Harrell credits Hayes along with retired Bertie High School coach Randy Whitaker and current Hertford County High coach Chris Towell, as his coaching influences.

“Mr. Hayes has been a great role model,” Harrell effuses. “Every time he left something I would be the one to pick it up. started off as his jayvee (junior varsity) baseball coach when I began teaching at Central Middle School.

“He was then the Athletic Director (at CMS) and then he decided to step away because he felt it was time,” Harrell continued. “I didn’t really realize that he was kind of grooming me for a couple of years to move into that role. When he decided to give up baseball I stepped up as varsity coach and he was still the acting athletic director for a couple of years after that. Then when he moved away from the A.D. I stepped into that.

“To be honest I really can’t measure the amount of support I still receive from him.

I don’t know how it would operate without Coach Hayes. His work ethic and the things he’s taught me can’t be measured because it’s helped me so much along the way. He still helps us everyday because he’s very athleticminded and he’s a big part of what we do here not only in the athletic department but in the classroom as well. We have a lot of support from the administration,” Harrell said.

Now married with wife, Amber – a teacher at Central Middle School – Harrell doesn’t coach as much in the summer off-season as he once did with travel ball, amateur wooden-

bat college ball and American Legion. Besides, his athletic director duties, teaching and coaching keep him plenty busy.

Perhaps his greatest achievement to date was being named both Gates County High School and Gates County Schools’ “Teacher of the Year” for 2021. He points out that it validates his career decision from all those years ago.

“I think I’m settled in (at the high school level),” he concluded. “I enjoy what do, helping these kids to go on and chase their life dreams after high school. I really get to see or have some type of relationship with every kid who comes through this school, especially if they play sports. enjoy seeing these kids develop into men and women; what little bit I can help in getting them going in the right direction and helping mold their future, I’m proud of.”

Gene Motley is a retired Sports Editor and Sports Director and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

I think I’m settled in (at the high school level.) I enjoy what I do, helping the kids to go and chase their life dreams after high school.

ALL IN A Day’s Trip

Story & Photos by Meghan Grant

Visiting charming Franklin County

Franklin County is a great place to visit for a day trip featuring quaint, charming towns with down home charm. There are some changes happening to the area with breweries, restaurants and shops popping up, plus beautiful murals and views of the Tar River.

We started out our day trip in downtown Franklinton with lunch and shopping right on Main Street. There is ample street parking and it is quite cute with the revitalization happening to the buildings there.

E njoy P izza & b EE r at th E N ew O wl ’ s R OO st B R ewi N g

On the other side of Mercantile and Main, the brand new Owl’s Roost Brewing is serving up pizza, beers, wine and mimosas. It just opened in August 2021 and is located in the historic movie theatre on Main Street. The building was renovated around the historic skeleton of the theatre and they have done a beautiful job with the space. The outdoor seating area is expansive and they also have a horse hitching post.

Owl’s Roost Brewery is located at 20 North Main St., Franklinton.

t ak E a d riv E to L ouisbur G & E njoy th E v i E ws of th E t ar r iv E r

The drive from Franklinton to Louisburg is just a lovely, short drive. As you drive into town, you’ll be greeted by the Tar River, which runs right through the center of town. We parked and walked back over the bridge to check out the views. There are plenty of grassy areas to enjoy a picnic on the banks if you opt to enjoy some leisurely time outdoors.

G rab L unch at M ason and M ain

This cute spot offers a variety of coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads, wine and beer, plus an artisanal food and beverage market. Their menu includes everything from pulled pork sandwiches to charcuterie boards to sausage dogs. They also sell artwork created by local artists and feature live music on the weekends. There is adorable covered seating on the sidewalk to enjoy a leisurely lunch.

Mason and Main is located at 2 North Main St., Franklinton.

s ho P at M E rcanti LE on M ain

Mercantile on Main is the cutest spot that features a wide variety of locally made products, beautiful bouquets and hilarious gift items. The Mercantile makes it a welcoming shopping experience highlighting handcrafted and homemade products and it is obvious that Christopher and Christian are thoughtful in curating their shop.

Mercantile on Main is located at 4 North Main St., Franklinton.

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Tar Banks Brewery Co. is a wonderful, welcoming brewery located right in the heart of downtown Louisburg. The brewery often hosts food trucks on weekends and shares which ones will be there on their social media channels. Tar Banks brews their own beers and makes their own seltzers, while also featuring guest taps, popular seltzer brands and wine, too.

Tar Banks Brewery Co. is located at 108 North Main St., Louisburg.

E njoy a f ar M - to - t ab LE M E a L at r ustic r oots

After spending a day experiencing Franklinton and Louisburg, finish up with a hearty farm-to-table meal at Rustic Roots in Bunn. This restaurant opened a little over a year ago by a husband and wife team with a mission of sharing seasonal, sustainable and local food. While their menu changes with the seasons, it features items such as North Carolina scallops, zucchini fries, farmhouse burgers, homemade pasta and filet mignon.

Rustic Roots is located at 20 Cheves Rd., Bunn.

Meghan Brown Grant is the author of I’m Fixin’ To, a lifestyle blog focusing on North Carolina, and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living. She lives in Willow Springs with her husband, David, and two dogs.

G rab a b EE r at t ar

anks b r E w E ry

Story by John Foley

PhotoS Contributed

Cohen educates with the student and community in mind

The Perquimans County Director of Career Technical Education (CTE) Jill Cohen has always taught with the career of the student and the needs of the community in mind.

“That’s what education is about,” Cohen said, while being interrupted by the rumble of a fire truck driving past her office window.

“That’s our fire truck, the high school’s fire truck,” Cohen said proudly as she went on to explain the high school needed the truck to train the school’s firefighting cadets in high angle rescue.

“Our fire tech kids, our cadets, yesterday and the day before, were practicing high angle rescue from the top of our fire training tower. It was all over Facebook. Look at these pictures,” Cohen said, smiling broadly and adding, “Our program has equipment we let our volunteer and our town fire department borrow because they don’t have it. If there’s a silo rescue they have to do, they will borrow our equipment.”

Yes, Perquimans County High School has its own fire truck. And a high angle rescue training tower.

Those pieces of equipment fill the needs of the firefighter technology classes offered as part of the high school curriculum program along with a dozen other courses. Cohen’s philosophy is to educate students while feeding the community with upcoming career talent. The opportunity for Perquimans County students is abundant.

That’s Cohen’s current focus, but fire trucks and high angle rescue were not part of her education plan when she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from State University of New York in Plattsburgh in 1979. She went on to earn a Masters Degree in Home Economics from City University of New York. Throughout her career, whether as the Program Assessment Coordinator at Van Wyck Junior High in Wappinger Falls, NewYork or the Life Skills Teacher at the New Hampshire Youth Development Center, Cohen always looks to the future through the eyes of her students.

It was a birthday trip for her husband, Larry, an avid golfer and an advertisement for Albemarle Plantation that enticed the Cohen’s

to leave the winters and Lobster Roll shacks of New Hampshire behind and venture to Perquimans County.

“We came down in May, found a piece of land on Monday. Larry went golfing that afternoon and I came into the town, went to the Chamber and came over to the school to see what it looked like and met some great people,” Cohen recalls. “The teacher for Family and Consumer Science was retiring and I spoke with the HR Director at the time, filled out an application, walked in with my tennis shoes and cruise wear and 12 weeks later began teaching.”

Cohen was not only an educator at the time, but also a student as she studied the curriculum throughout that first year and developed a more community-focused plan.

“I taught the first year and went to the principal and explained the program was not meeting the economic needs of the community. He agreed and let me alter the curriculum. I brought in the Foods and Nutrition program and combined that with the Restaurant ServSafe program into all of my curriculum,” Cohen explained.

Hertford resident and retired educator Connie Jaklic had previously substituted for Cohen on occasion.

“I loved subbing for Jill’s classes. Her students were bang, bang, bang. They knew exactly what they needed to do. Jill is an incredible educator. I really miss the food program” said Jaklic.

A lot has changed for Cohen and Perquimans’ High School since that first day in 2006.

As the Director of Career Technical Education, a position she has held since 2016, Cohen holds the counseling keys to the community’s future while highlighting the importance of the trades in education.

“Focus on the trades is coming back in a big way. I’m concerned for our programs as we need to build a pipeline for educators to carry on when our instructors retire. One of the problems we face is the higher salary private industry pays. It’s hard to compete with that,” Cohen explained.

Her outlook for her student’s future, the community and education is based on common sense principles that today’s young students understand. When she first became CTE Director, Cohen discussed her process to a group of parents and students.

“Please don’t ask your child what they want to do. Because they don’t know. What do you like to wear to work? What are you

comfortable in? They understand that. Those are the questions ask,” she said. “That’s number one.

“Number two, do you want to work in the morning, afternoon or at night; what’s your optimal time? Finally, what’s your passion? Don’t tell me you’re going to be an accountant if you hate math. If you are an artist, it’s graphic arts. also ask if they want to live in a rural, suburban or urban setting,” Cohen confided. “That’s what students relate to, today.”

Cohen said her work as CTE Director led her to evaluate the entire program.

“After my first year as director, I assessed what we had. I assessed best practices across the state. I asked more questions and felt in order to make a stronger high school,” she said. “We needed to send stronger students from the middle school, so I focused on the middle school,” she continued. “I began aligning education with our economic needs in the community. Now, the middle school is inquiry based.

“We brought in Biotechnology and Agriculture. (We) built a greenhouse. I went to a state conference and everyone wanted to build greenhouses. I explained if it benefits the community, build one. If it doesn’t, don’t.” Cohen went on, “There needs to be a need for urgency to learn. If I’m supposed to learn ratios in math class, but I don’t know what they are, but I am supposed to built a race car in my stem class and I have to draw and scale and build it, I am doing ratios and I don’t even know I am doing it. I don’t know the word, but I know the thinking. We are teaching students to think. Now I am sitting in math class and I get it. It makes sense. It’s higher knowledge.”

When it comes to knowledge, the career technical education course offerings are extensive and obviously connected to the community.

Animal Science, Plant Science and Equine Science along with Power, Structural and Technical Systems of Agricultural Mechanics are directly associated with Perquimans County and surrounding communities.

If one happens to see a sixth grader writing in what appear to be modern day hieroglyphics, don’t worry, they’re coding. It’s taught as a language beginning in sixth grade.

“I felt computer coding was important, so I implemented it in sixth grade,” Cohen said. “I wrote a grant and got it. The first week we had the course I had sixth graders all over the floor coding. I asked one of the students if they liked it and they thought it was the best course ever. Coding is positive and negative integers. They were learning math at the same time.”

Cohen’s newest program - Clear Acceleratorwill place 60 students in the community to work and be paid a stipend, throughout the summer. Cohen knows the money will go back into the community. That was the foundation for her case to the state when they suggested she spend the money on educational tools outside of the state.

“I explained sending $20,000 to California or Utah for a computer program wouldn’t help many people in Perquimans, but the stipend will be filtered back into the community. After reading the fine print, got the approval,” she said.

It was another small victory for the educator, who continually has the students of the community in mind.

Her most recent accomplishment was noticeable at the Job Fair held in May. The event offered high school students an opportunity to easily find summer employment while local corporations, small businesses and restaurants were thankful for the opportunity to fill staff vacancies.

“We had great success. I believe we placed three students that first day, and I know a lot of others had interviews,” said Cohen, smiling, knowing she’s helping to feed the employment needs of the community.

John Foley is a retired newspaper editor and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

COASTAL MEDICAL TRANSPORT

308 S. Pearl Street, WILLIAMSTON, NC (252) 792-8929

101 S. Granville Street, WINDSOR, NC (252) 794-4149

122 West 5th Street, WASHINGTON, NC (252) 946-1449

1834 Progress Road, GREENVILLE, NC (252) 329-1222

Grandma’s Kitchen

Beautiful things are beginning to happen in nature. Leaves have appeared on the trees. Shrubs are blooming and so are flowers. The colors are so amazing to see after the blandness of winter.

There is something about spring that brings not only new life to plants but to us as well. This spring has a feeling of freedom because the corona virus is dying out. Masks are no longer required in most places and we can smile at people and see them smile back. I have missed that.

Do you have the urge to get out and enjoy the weather and maybe plant a few things?

I have some things tugging at me. I have a little cleaning up that needs to be done in my flowerbeds and weed killer needs to be sprayed in some places.

There is a wild flower bed I am working on. At my age, it is a little at a time.

If you work at a job and then go outside to do things when you get home, you don’t have much time to cook for yourself or your family. Putting something in the oven while

you work outside or having something to fix quickly when you come in makes life easier.

It has gotten so expensive to eat out and you can fix healthier meals at home.

A little prep time at night can make meals such as fajitas or stir fry quick and easy the next day. Preparing a dish for the oven the night before and putting it in the refrigerator gives you a meal you only have to turn on the oven and put in the oven. Cold plates are good when the weather gets hotter. Making a shopping list with easy plan ahead meals is another way to save time.

Some ideas for cold plates are deli meats, chicken salad (you can use a rotisserie chicken and make the night before), cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, beets, cheeses of different types and pickles (sweet, dill, bread and butter). Drizzle a little of your favorite dressing over the food. Serve with any type of crackers or Melba toast.

I have a few ideas just to get your creative juices flowing.

P ork S ubgum

1 lb. Boneless pork chops

1 bunch green onions, chopped, tops included

1 large green pepper, cut in strips

½ lb. mushrooms, sliced

1 can chop suey vegetables or bean sprouts

½ cup walnut or almond pieces

1 ½ cup chicken stock

1 tb. Plus 1 tsp. Cornstarch 1 tb. Soy sauce salt and pepper to taste 1 can fried noodles, heated

Cut pork into ½ inch cubes, removing fat. Saute in skillet until crisp. Cover and cook 5 minutes, remove from pan.

Saute onions, green pepper and mushrooms 2 minutes. Add vegetables or bean sprouts, meat, nuts and stock. Heat until hot.

Add cornstarch to soy sauce, Stir in and stir until smooth. Add salt and pepper. Serve with hot noodles. (Doing your chopping the night before)

N ew e N gla N d S alad r oll

1 cup salad shrimp or lobster (can use imitation)

½ cup celery

½ cup finely diced cucumber

¼ cup red bell pepper

1 small green onion, tops included Dressing;

2 tb. Mayonnaise 3 teaspoons mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Add a few dashes of hot sauce (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste Whisk dressing together until smooth. Add rest of ingredients. Put on sandwich rolls and top with slaw mix

P ork

6 pork chops

C ho PS a N d P otatoe S

6 potatoes, cut in fourths

1 tb. Soy sauce

2 tb. Oil

2 tsp. Lemon juice

1 tb. Worcestershire sauce

2 tb. Light brown sugar

2 tb. Catchup

Place pork chops and potatoes in a baking dish. Whisk remaining ingredients and pour half over chops and potatoes.

Cook 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Drain juices carefully. Add remaining sauce and bake 30 more minutes.

Sylvia Hughes with her grandmother, Bertie Dameron.

Sylvia Hughes is a retired newspaper editor and columnist residing in Windsor. In addition to three sons, she has a gaggle of grandchildren, many of whom love cooking with her just as she did with her mother and grandmother.

DOWN RIGHT AWESOME

Super heros made and apperance at Williamston Primary School to honor a local hero, first grader Sammy McDanial for National World Syndrom Day.

VPhotos by SarahMartinHodges-Stalls SchoolsCounty

Truth The greatest

limbing mountains and building great towers are the destinies set before every generation. Racial equality and human sanctity are not the works of nature, but the work of people.

Humans build enduring and magnificent feats because we build on one another. Every age builds on the last, so it goes that the most excellent job given to anyone is the person who educates another.

Many thanks are owed to those who give their lives to instruct others. The heights and depths in which we find ourselves today are built atop hundreds of layers of instructors. Without the forethought to serve the future by writing down all they learn and experience, we can’t be where we are.

I taught in a high school for seven years.

I know it’s a mostly thankless job. Honor doesn’t come till many years later when those you gave your all recognize the investment.

I am incredibly blessed by dozens of men and women who poured their life into me. I’m so grateful to those who taught me about life, science, history, the Bible and God. My life is richer.

I am a follower of Jesus. I do all that can to honor Him and live like Him. Jesus was known as a rabbi or teacher for his entire life. Jesus

taught rich truths authored in Heaven on a plain that we don’t naturally gravitate.

Jesus met with every kind of person with patience and taught them things that would change their life. When Jesus was giving his last instructions to his followers, He commanded us to go and teach everyone about what He has taught. Jesus’ great mission that He sends all of us to do is to teach. Education is the most important assignment we have.

So, whether you believe in Jesus or not, whether you have ever recognized the ones who took the time to teach you, and whether

you’ve ever considered education as serious business, there is nothing more important than helping others build brighter futures.

Educators form the world. So, if you teach others in any way, I say thank you.

I would also like to remind every educator that we must engage our students holistically. We must not think our job is intellectual only, but we must regularly engage emotionally. Let’s connect young people to their entire existence.

Physical, emotional, intellectual and social health is how we see a better future. I’m grateful for people who have done that for me, for my wife, and now for my kids. I thank God for every lesson my parents learned that they taught me.

If you want to build a brighter future, don’t think of bricks and hammers and bank accounts. Think people. Think about children or young people that are just starting. A better world is a world of better people.

Governmental systems, economies and religion are not based on better theories. They are based on better humans. And no one has more influence on that than educators.

“ “

MARKER TEXT

County: Hertford

Marker ID: A-86

Date Cast: 2014

Roy Johnson is a hunter of sorts, a man after rare game. His prey is often elusive as a fox, and the terrain he covers can be delicate. He stalks the folk tales and memories of another time.” So began a feature story in the September 1, 1981, issue of the Norfolk VirginianPilot. The subject was Frank Roy Johnson, a native of Bladen County who moved to Murfreesboro in 1940. He was a 1932 graduate of Duke University, where he worked on the student newspaper and met his future wife, Margaret Hamlin.

His newspaper career began in 1934 in Surry. Six years later he moved his equipment to Murfreesboro where he founded the Daily Roanoke-Chowan News and the Northeastern Carolina News. He merged the two titles in 1947 and, in 1962, sold his paper to his competition, the Parker Brothers Company of Ahoskie.

The sale freed Johnson up to concentrate on his primary interest, the history and folklore of northeastern North Carolina. With a young Thomas Parramore, he published “The RoanokeChowan Story” as an 18-installment feature in his paper. Under the auspices

of the Johnson Publishing Company, he published twenty-two books on topics that included Indians, the Gatling gun, folk tales, legends and myths, the Roanoke colonies, Nat Turner, peanuts, riverboating, and witches and demons.

He prided himself on being a mechanical master and never purchasing any new equipment, but rather recycling outdated machines cast aside by the local community college. As a one-man operation, he personally set the type and bound every one of his copies by hand. He also reprinted works by Captain John Smith, Thomas Harriott, John Brickell, and Sallie Southall Cotton. He co-authored several books with Frank Stephenson.

Stephenson counts Johnson as his mentor, as did Parramore, longtime professor at Meredith College. Johnson worked with the Division of Archives and History to microfilm twenty-three reels of his newspapers. His estate, settled up by Stephenson, deposited his notes, research materials, and correspondence in the State Archives. In 1976 Johnson received the Brown-Hudson Folklore from the North Carolina Folklore Society. He died on October 17, 1988.

REFERENCES

F. ROY JOHNSON 1911-1988

Folklorist and publisher. Left newspapering 1962 to chronicle folkways & peoples of northeastern N.C. Office stood here.

F. Roy Johnson Collection, North Carolina State Archives Carolina Comments (January 1989), p. 11

There are so many educators who have helped shape my life.

I remember even now – some 40-plus years later – the kindness of Beverly Jilcott in my first grade class. She was an excellent teacher we all loved and made coming to school better.

A few years later my classmates got to experience the very best of Bertie County. Hulda Tayloe and Kay Byrum were among the best elementary/middle school teachers anyone could ask to have. When our class made it to high school, many of the teachers knew which ones of us had been in their classes because of what we knew.

I can’t say either of them was always fun.

I am thankful to each educator who touched my life, and those who have helped shape my children and the other children of this region into fine people.

PARTING SHOTS

By Thadd White

They were sometimes hard and strict, but I can also say I never doubted their love for us or their desire to see us succeed.

In high school, failed Spanish. I wasn’t very good at it, and I had my mind on other things as well. That didn’t detract from how good a teacher Sharon Mattingly was. It’s not often you can fail a class and still think the teacher is among the very best.

I spent more time with Gail Bridgers than any teacher at Bertie High School. She taught me and made me a better person. She also made me a writer, for which I am eternally grateful.

I can’t go without mentioning the love and respect had for Bill Hawkins. He was not only one of the best football coaches I’ve ever known, he was an excellent classroom teacher.

There are so many others – Styron Bond, Lloyd Spruill and Barry McGlone to name a few – who did such a wonderful job teaching and taught me so much.

This edition of Eastern North Carolina Living pays tribute to some of the best and brightest in the classrooms of Eastern North Carolina. We could have easily done 100 stories in the 18 counties and still not began to hit the tip of the iceberg. Maybe we’ll do more

in another edition down the road.

As you read about the men and women who are shaping the lives of children, we hope you will enjoy their stories and realize how hard they work daily for our children, our future.

I am thankful to each educator who touched my life, and those who have helped shape my children and the other children of this region into fine people. We are forever in your debt.

We will be back next time with a few places you “must see” in each of our counties. We look forward to bringing those to you. Until next time, remember… all who wander are not lost. Continue joining us as we wander through Beaufort, Bertie, Chowan, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrrell, Washington and Wilson counties.

Thadd White is a father, a fan of Chelsea Football Club and a grateful recipient of a good education thanks to the teachers who shaped his life. He serves as Group Editor of five Adams Publishing Group publications, including the N.C. Press Award-winning Eastern North Carolina Living.

www.southernbank.com