Help Us Congratulate our Newest Leaders
In August, the Board of Education approved several new leaders for our district. We know they have done an amazing job since school has started so please help us celebrate the following:
Dr. Janice Duffie, Assistant Principal West Craven High-
Dr, Duffie has dedicated her time to education in Pitt County where she worked at all three levels; elementary middle, and high school. She had an opportunity to be a wonderful classroom teacher making a difference for 10 years and then continued to serve as a Special Education Teacher for 7 years at the high school level. She then decided to expand her career by entering administration where to worked at JH Rose High School for 4 years as the Assistant Principal and at Farmville Central High School for 5 years.
Dr. Duffie is most excited about opportunities for new experiences and new connections. She is excited about being a part of CCS' mission, which is "to educate all learners to personal, professional, and civic success through challenging and personalized instruction. A good education is the foundation for a better tomorrow. Dr. Duffie is very honored to be a part of this process, and she is looking forward to awesomeness at West Craven High School.
Mrs. Betsy Gatchel, District Student Programming Coordinator-
Mrs. Betsy Gatchel is the new Coordinator for Student Programming, working primarily with the English Learners Program, Academically and Intellectually Gifted Program, and Cultural Arts. An educator since graduating in 1993, Mrs. Gatchel has worked the majority of her career with Craven County Schools. She has taught elementary, pre-school, college-aged and adult students with many years spent working at WJ Gurganus Elementary and Brinson Memorial Elementary. In addition, she has served as a Title 1 Interventionist, Literacy Coordinator, and District Learning Systems Coach. She earned her undergraduate degree from Davidson College and two graduate degrees in Elementary Education and School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and East Carolina University. Mrs. Gatchel is a product of Craven County Schools and has been blessed with a husband and two children who currently attend college/graduate school. She looks forward to her new role with this school system that has shaped her as an educator and continues to develop her as a life-long learner.
Mr. Matthew Hische, Assistant Principal New Bern High-
Mr. Matthew Hische began his educational career in 2013 at New Bern High School after graduating from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. In 2020, he achieved a school administration focused Master’s degree from Appalachian State University. After eight years of teaching social studies and serving as the faculty administrator of the after-school credit recovery program at New Bern High, Mr. Hische will be transitioning to his new role of Assistant Principal. Mr. Hische shares, “As an educator at NBH, I’ve seen and experienced the benefits of working with passionate teachers and administrators. I am excited to take on a new role with the understanding that my decisions will be instrumental in fostering students’ and teachers’ social and academic growth.”
Mrs. Nakia McCall, Principal Craven Virtual Academy-
Nakia McCall will serve as the principal of the new Craven Virtual Academy. Mrs. McCall, who is Eastern North Carolina born and bred, began her career with Lenoir County Public Schools. She was a classroom teacher for fourteen years before deciding she was interested in growing as a leader. She served as a curriculum specialist and assistant principal at the secondary level before moving into the role of a school administrator. With over 23 years of experience, Mrs. McCall has supported teachers, principals, and superintendents across the state of North Carolina. She shares, "Eastern, North Carolina is my home and being an administrator in a virtual learning environment makes my work and support of students even more exciting. Every day I have a chance to mold and shape the minds of our future leaders from elementary to high school and beyond. As a virtual principal, I have a considerable effect; not only do I have an opportunity to impact students, but I have a chance to support their families and the community in which they live through a digital platform.
Mrs. Josey Thompson, Assistant Principal HJ MacDonald Middle-
Mrs. Thompson is so incredibly honored to start her 1st year as Assistant Principal at The H.J. Mac Donald Middle School. Mrs. Thompson started her educational journey as a Biology and Physical Science Teacher at Kinston High School. After three years, she transferred to Rochelle Middle School, where she taught 7th and 8th grade Science for eight years. These past five years, she has enjoyed teaching Chemistry, Physics, and Earth/Environmental Science at Greene Early College High School. Mrs. Thompson earned her National Boards while simultaneously earning her Masters in Educational Leadership at Concordia University, as well as her Masters in Administration and Masters in Science Education at East Carolina University, Arrrgh! She is ready for the new experiences, opportunities, and challenges to help her continued growth and development as a leader.
As your Assistant Principal, she is looking forward to building new relationships, learning, service, and supporting all stakeholders. Mrs. Thompson is excited to be back with the most ambitious and curious middle school students. Most importantly, she is ready to motivate and encourage teachers to develop the most efficient and effective way to improve classroom instruction to help students achieve excellence through experiences.
Ms. Lea Wedesky, Assistant Principal Havelock High-
Ms. Lea Wedesky grew up in a small town in Michigan where her love for education and athletics began. She completed her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Eastern Michigan University and embarked on her journey within education. She has been a high school Special Education and Mathematics teacher as well as a women’s basketball coach throughout her 13 years in education. She dedicated the last 7 years to West Craven HS serving in leadership roles such as the EC Department Chair, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, and School Improvement Team Chair. Now her journey takes her to the East side of the county where she will serve as an Assistant Principal at Havelock High School.
Ms. Wedesky shares, “I’m blessed to have the opportunity to step into another leadership position and become part of the #RamFam, continuing to serve Craven County Schools and its communities.”
