During a special called meeting this week, the Wayne County Board of Education approved the following principal changes:

Southern Wayne High principal, Kevin Smith, was named Director of Secondary Education, Program Development, and Athletics. Kevin Smith has 28 years of education service, transitioning to school administration in 2007. Prior to being named principal of Southern Wayne High in 2018, Mr. Smith served as principal of Spring Creek Middle, principal of Rosewood Middle, and assistant principal of Spring Creek High. He also served as a teacher at Charles B. Aycock High and Norwayne Middle. Mr. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in school administration. Mr. Smith was named WCPS Principal of the Year for the 2016-2017 school year.

Rosewood High principal, Karen Rogers, was named principal of Southern Wayne High. Mrs. Rogers began her education career in 1997 as an exceptional children’s teacher at Southern Wayne High. Prior to being named principal of Rosewood High in 2015, Mrs. Rogers served as an assistant principal at Southern Wayne High, a Central Services Title I Leader Teacher, a Teaching and Learning Coach, and a Lead Teacher for Human Resources/Title II. She was also an exceptional children’s teacher at Tommy’s Road Elementary. Mrs. Rogers holds a bachelor’s degree in learning disabilities education, a master’s degree in education, a certification in school administration and a certification in elementary education.

Smithfield Selma High assistant principal, Kenneth Angel, was named principal of Rosewood High. Mr. Angel began his education career as a social studies and math teacher at Trexler Middle School in Onslow County. He transitioned to school administration in 2018 as a full-time assistant principal intern at Smithfield Selma High through the North Carolina Principals Fellow Program. He was later named assistant principal at the school. Mr. Angel served as an On-Site Director for the Duke TIP program at Duke University in summer of 2018 and 2019. Prior to transitioning to school administration, Mr. Angel taught middle school math and social studies in Duplin County, Pender County, New Hanover County, and Johnston County. Mr. Angel holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in school administration.

Spring Creek Elementary assistant principal, Shonise Jacobs, was named principal of North Drive Elementary. She is replacing Charlenna Bennett Carter who is retiring at the end of the school year. Ms. Jacobs began her education career in 1999 as a teacher at North Drive Elementary. Prior to being named assistant principal of Spring Creek Elementary in 2018, Mrs. Jacobs served as an assistant principal at Eastern Wayne Elementary. She also served as a teacher and Title I Site Coordinator at North Drive Elementary. Mrs. Jacobs holds a bachelor’s degree in school administration, a master’s degree in curriculum & instruction, and a master’s degree in school administration.

Johnston County Schools executive director of exceptional children program, Ashley Radford, was named principal of Meadow Lane Elementary. She is replacing Antoinette Ward, who is retiring at the end of the school year. Ms. Radford began her education career in 2006 as a special education teacher at Smithfield middle. Prior to her move to a district administrator in 2017, Ms. Radford spent four years as an assistant principal at Pine Level Elementary. She also served as a Central Services intervention specialist, a curriculum coach, and a special education teacher. Ms. Radford holds a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in education, and a master’s degree in school administration.

Nelson Cunningham was named principal of Greenwood Middle. He is replacing Michael Jones, who is taking a position outside of Wayne County Public Schools at the end of the school year. Mr. Cunningham began his education career in 2003 as a mathematics teacher at Eastern Wayne High. Prior to being named assistant principal of Eastern Wayne High in 2016, Mr. Cunningham served as assistant principal at Eastern Wayne Middle and Wayne Academy. He was also a mathematics teacher at Charles B. Aycock High. Mr. Cunningham holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education and a master’s degree in school administration.

Eastern Wayne Middle principal, Eric Waters, was named the principal of Eastern Wayne High. He is replacing Lee Johnson who is retiring at the end of the school year. Prior to being named principal of Eastern Wayne Middle in January 2022, he served as the assistant principal for Riverwood Middle and North Johnston High. Mr. Waters began his career in education in 1997 as a physical education teacher with Lenoir County Schools. He was later a physical education teacher at Goldsboro High. Mr. Waters holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management, an emotional disability special education certificate, and a master’s degree in school administration.

Spring Creek High Assistant Principal Wendy Waters was named principal of Spring Creek High. She is replacing Stephen Clingan who is retiring at the end of the school year. Ms. Waters began her education career in 1998 as a civics teacher at JH Rose High School. Prior to being named assistant principal of Spring Creek High in 2020, Ms. Waters served as assistant principal at Charles B. Aycock High, Meadow Lane Elementary, Carver Heights Elementary and Greenwood Middle. She also taught civics at South Central High. Ms. Waters holds a bachelor’s degree in history education, a master’s degree in instructional technology, and a master’s degree in school administration.

“I would like to thank all of our outgoing principals for their leadership, and the support they have provided for students and families,” states Dr. David Lewis, WCPS superintendent. “Each of our newly appointed administrators have demonstrated their effectiveness as leaders. We look forward to welcoming them to their new roles and supporting them during this time of transition.”

All of the administrative changes will take effect July 1, 2022.