NRMPS NAMES 2013-14 TEACHER OF THE YEAR, PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

Each year, the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year celebration is marked by special moments. Tuesday night proved no exception, as nearly 130 individuals gathered at the Rose Hill Conference Center at Nathan Hall to learn the names of the newest honorees. Dana Williamson, of Southern Nash Middle School was the named the 2013-14 NRMPS Teacher of the Year, and Gary Mayor, Principal of Parker Middle School, was named the 2013-14 Principal of the Year. Williamson walked away from the ceremony with a one-year lease on a brand new, fully loaded 2014 Honda CR-V LX vehicle, courtesy of Davenport Honda and NRMPS. The 2014 Honda CR-V LX, came fully-equipped with plenty of high-tech features, such as Bluetooth, Pandora, a back-up camera, a 160 watt sound system, text messaging, and audio streaming. The economical crossover vehicle gets 31 MPG highway.
Highlights from the evening included performances by the jazz band from Nash Central High School, remarks from former Teacher of the Year Kristen Tedford, and remarks from former Principal of the Year Leon Farrow. Community partners Hospira, Wells Fargo Bank, and Davenport Autopark also made presentations during the ceremony.

Williamson has 27 years of teaching experience and received her Bachelor’s degree in middle school education from the Barton College. She’s a member of several organizations including the NC Association for the Gifted and Talented, the NC Middle School Association, and the NC Science Teachers Association. During her career she’s taught a variety of grade levels across the elementary and middle levels. She currently serves as an AIG facilitator at Southern Nash Middle School.
“It’s a true honor to represent educators throughout the district because I know that each one of us goes in every day to help every child reach their full potential and explore all the possibilities,” said Williamson.
2013-14 Principal of the Year Gary Major was equally excited to have received his award.
“I am truly humbled to be named principal of the year for Nash Rocky Public Schools,” said Major. My fellow principals and I are part of an equation that is responsible for the growth and success of our students, and we do so with a tireless commitment to achieve excellence for our schools.”
The other two finalists for 2013-14 Teacher of the Year were Tremayne Smith, the high school Teacher of the Year for NRMPS, and Theresa Whitley, the elementary school Teacher of the Year for NRMPS.
Smith has two teachings years of teaching experience. He received his Bachelor’s degree in music, and in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law Studies. He is a member of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association, Eastern District, North Carolina Showstyle Band Directors Association, North Carolina Association of Music Educators, National Association for Music Educators, among others. Smith is the band director at Rocky Mount High School.
Whitley has over 10 years of teaching experience. She received her Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University in psychology and earned her teaching certification from East Carolina University. She just recently completed her Master’s degree in School Administration from Gardner Webb University. Whitley is a member of several organizations including Eastern Star, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Volunteer Frederick Douglass Alumni Association and the Psi Chi National Honor Society. She currently teaches English Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies for students in grades 3-5 at D.S. Johnson Elementary.
Each of the ‘Teacher of the Year’ finalists received the prestigious Ben Craig Award from Tem Meyers, Market President of Wells Fargo Bank. This includes a hand-carved crystal apple and a $1,000 award from Wells Fargo for use in their classrooms. The finalists also received a personal laptop courtesy of Hospira Corporation, presented by Bob Jenkins, IT manager and school board member.
As Principal of the Year, Major received a $500 gift, along with a personal laptop from Hospira. The other two finalists for the Principal of the Year title were Dr. Mark Cockrell, principal of Southern Nash High School, and Carina Bryant, principal of Southern Nash Middle School.
Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson thanked the educators for their daily sacrifices for students. “We set the golden standard, as schools who embrace ALL students, regardless of how they come to us, and we seek to lead by example, as we model the skills that they need to be successful as adults,” said Jackson. “I want to thank you for the diligent work you do every day in our schools. Over the course of your career, you have continued to touch the lives of countless students.” Names and photographs of the NRMPS Principal and Teacher of the Year will be added to the NRMPS Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year plaques located at the school system’s administrative offices. These individuals will also be recognized on a billboard located on Hwy 301, courtesy of Lamar Advertising.
Congratulations to the 2013-14 Teachers of the Year for NRMPS:
Bailey Elementary - Emily Wood
S.C. Baskerville Elementary - Corine McCann-Moody
Benvenue Elementary - Courtney Bissette
Cedar Grove Elementary - Rachel Shell
Coopers Elementary - Chanda Underwood
Englewood Elementary - Amy Quigley
Fairview Elementary - Robin Silver
M. B. Hubbard Elementary - Hernan Daza
D. S. Johnson Elementary- Theresa Whitley
Middlesex Elementary - Meri Jolin
Nashville Elementary - Tressa Bissette
O.R. Pope Elementary - Letha Pearce
Red Oak Elementary - Connie Mitchell
Spring Hope Elementary - Wende Woodard
Swift Creek Elementary - Russell Howald
Williford Elementary - Dollie Borum
Winstead Avenue Elementary - Teresa Pilgreen
Edwards Middle - Percell Kelley
Nash Central Middle - Edwin Suitter II
Parker Middle - Charlene Outland
Red Oak Middle - Bettie Lewis
Southern Nash Middle - Dana Williamson
Nash Central High - Catherine Melle
NRM Early College High - Edward Lyons
Northern Nash High - Thomas Barkalow
Rocky Mount High - Tremayne Smith
Southern Nash High - Ann-Marie Brown
Tar River Academy - Ernest Postell