NC Principal of the Year Finalists Announced

CONGRATULATIONS, DR. ARTIS! We are so proud of you!

"Nine public school leaders from across the state have been recognized as regional Principals of the Year.

On May 15, one will be named the 2026 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year at a ceremony hosted at The Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary.

'Being a principal is a unique role that combines leadership, management and people skills, pedagogical knowledge and a lot of hard work,' said North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice 'Mo' Green. 'These finalists are skilled professionals who help others succeed. They create programs to meet the needs of students and their families, deliver professional development and support to teachers and other educators and establish community partnerships that bring real-world learning to students.'"

Read the full press release here. 

Congratulations to the 2026 NC Principal of the Year Finalists! 

Northeast: Kelly E. Flora, Nags Head Elementary School (Dare County Schools)

Northwest: Dustin Farmer, Ashe County High School (Ashe County Schools)

North Central: Dr. Mariah Walker, Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy (Wake County Public School System)

Piedmont Triad: Dr. Darrell A. Harris, Jr., Eastern Guilford High School (Guilford County Schools)

Sandhills: Dr. Latreicia Allen, John Griffin Middle School (Cumberland County Schools)

Southeast: Dr. Marlow Artis, Craven Early College High School (Craven County Schools)

Southwest: LaTresha Wilson, Tuckaseegee Elementary School (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools)

Western: Jennifer McBrayer, CHASE Middle School (Rutherford County Schools)

Charter: Deborah Brown, The Exploris School (Raleigh)

Middle School Collaborative Learning Day a Success

Monday, February 16th, middle school educators from across the district gathered at Grover C. Fields Middle School for a full day of professional learning, collaboration, and inspiration during the Middle School Collaborative Learning Day.

Throughout the day, teachers focused on: Strengthening instruction in all core subject areas, Vertical alignment across grade levels, strategies to promote teacher effectiveness, and student success

The audience was honored to begin the day with encouraging remarks from Dr. Matthew Cheeseman, Superintendent, who reminded educators that they are difference makers and that they matter. The group also enjoyed an uplifting message from special guest Mr. Si Seymour, former ECU Voice of the Pirates Basketball, who spoke about leadership, motivation, and perseverance. #CHAMP

Each middle school had a student share their middle school experience, reinforcing the difference that teachers, staff, and administrators make on a daily basis.

By dedicating time to collaboration and continuous improvement, we continue to invest in our educators, and ultimately, in the success of our students.

A special thank you to all who contributed to making this day a success, and a shoutout to our local businesses who donated very popular door prizes.

Classified to Teacher Fair

On February 16th, Craven County Schools hosted its inaugural Classified to Teacher Fair at New Bern High School, providing classified staff and community members with valuable information about the pathway to becoming licensed teachers.

The event brought together district leaders and Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) to share licensure options, program requirements, funding opportunities, and clear next steps toward certification. A special thank you to NCWorks and ESS for helping spread the word and encouraging prospective candidates to attend, which contributed to the strong turnout and engagement.

This first Classified to Teacher Fair was a success, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the future.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who played a part in the planning and overall success of this event. -Beginning Teacher Coordinators and HR Department

Groundbreaking Celebration for Freedom Middle School!

This afternoon, Craven County Schools proudly celebrated a historic milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for the future Freedom Middle School on the campus of Tucker Creek Middle School.

This exciting project will unite students from Havelock Middle School and Tucker Creek Middle School, creating a strong, unified middle school community for the Havelock area.

Students from both schools participated in the ceremony, symbolizing the shared future and new beginning ahead.

We were honored to hear remarks from:

Dr. Matthew Cheeseman, Superintendent Mr. Lee Kirkman, Board of Education Chairman

Ms. Darlene Gibbs, Board of Education

Mr. Denny Bucher, Chairman of the Craven County Commissioners

Mr. Adam Owens, Representative from the NC Education Lottery

We were also grateful to have many elected officials and community leaders join us for this special occasion.

This groundbreaking symbolizes more than construction; it represents progress, unity, and possibility. Freedom Middle School will serve generations of students as a place where young minds grow, friendships are formed, talents are discovered, and futures are shaped.

Thank you to the North Carolina Education Lottery, our County Commissioners, and everyone who helped bring this vision to life. The future is bright, and we look forward to celebrating the ribbon-cutting in August 2027!

Congratulations to Reese Castecka!

Craven County Schools proudly celebrates Reese Marie Castecka of Havelock High School for being selected as a North Carolina nominee for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program!

Chosen by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Presidential Scholars Nomination Committee, Reese now advances to the next round at the national level, representing the very best of North Carolina students in the General Education category. This honor recognizes her outstanding scholarship, dedication, and academic excellence.

Established in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors. Since its inception, more than 8,000 students have been recognized for their exceptional achievements.

Reese will now move forward in the national selection process, where candidates are reviewed by the Commission on Presidential Scholars, with final Scholars announced later this spring.

We are incredibly proud of Reese for this remarkable accomplishment and for representing Havelock High School and Craven County Schools with excellence.

Please join us in congratulating Reese and wishing her continued success in the Presidential Scholars selection process!

Celebrating Our Partnership with STARBASE Cherry Point

Last week, 5th-grade students from Graham A. Barden Elementary and Roger Bell New Tech Academy kicked off an exciting, hands-on STEM learning experience through our partnership with STARBASE Cherry Point!

Located at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, STARBASE is a Department of Defense educational program that engages 5th graders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through interactive, real-world applications. Notably, STARBASE Cherry Point is the first program of its kind on a Marine Corps installation, making this opportunity even more special for our students.

Through engaging lessons and hands-on activities, students are exploring STEM concepts in ways that spark curiosity, build problem-solving skills, and inspire future career possibilities.

We are grateful for this incredible partnership and the opportunity it provides for our students to learn, explore, and dream big right here in our community.

James City Historical Society Presentation

New Bern High School hosted board members from the James City Historical Society on Tuesday, February 17. Students listened to board members discuss the importance of James City to Craven County. Students asked questions and toured the panels, which offered in-depth information about this historical city. James City is known for being the largest refuge in North Carolina for formerly enslaved people

🎓 February is FAFSA Month! 🎓

Did you know that cost is one of the biggest barriers to students pursuing higher education? The good news is that there are many financial aid options available to help make college more affordable and achievable.

To support students and families, CFNC has created a series of six helpful financial aid videos covering:

✔️ Financial Aid 101

✔️ The Next NC Scholarship

✔️ How to evaluate financial aid award offers

✔️ And more essential topics

These short, easy-to-follow videos walk you step-by-step through what you need to know to make informed decisions about paying for college.

📲 Click here to view the series:

https://www.cravenk12.org/student-life/college-advising-scholarships/financial-aid-resources

Take the next step toward your child's future, complete the FAFSA, and explore their financial aid options today! 💙

Gateway to Greatness

For the month of February, Craven County Schools proudly recognizes our Gateway to Greatness nominees—an honor dedicated to celebrating the outstanding work of our mentor teachers.

This recognition highlights mentors who go above and beyond to support Beginning Teachers through guidance, instructional coaching, and encouragement. Nominees are recommended by their principals, Beginning Teacher(s), or colleagues, making this honor especially meaningful as it reflects their direct impact.

We celebrate our February nominees for their dedication to growing the profession and strengthening our schools through strong mentorship.

BME (Jennifer Reno)

TPE ( Jennifer Carman)

 GAB (Guy Pepper)

 WCM (Vashawn Daniels)

ORA (Kathy Hudson)

JTB ( Johnicia Simmons)

AWE (Jennifer Currie)

AHB (Collins Beebe)

 HJM(Tisha Jackson, Morticia Walston)

Gateway to Greatness Award – February Recipient

Mrs. Jessica Manning, West Craven Middle School

Congratulations to Mrs. Jessica Manning, our February Gateway to Greatness Award recipient! Since entering the teaching profession in 2010, Mrs. Manning has exemplified dedication, passion, and an unwavering commitment to the success of both students and colleagues at West Craven Middle School. As the 2025–2026 Teacher Ambassador, she continues to lead with excellence.

From serving as a lead 7th and 8th grade teacher to guiding the Math Goal Team and contributing to the School Improvement Team, Mrs. Manning has strengthened instruction and fostered a positive school culture. As an Instructional Coach, she developed impactful professional learning and supported teachers across the district. Now back full-time in the classroom, she continues to grow her colleagues’ instructional knowledge, strengthen math achievement, and ensure teachers are equipped with innovative strategies.

Colleagues describe Mrs. Manning as more than a mentor—she is a steady guide, encourager, and trusted friend. Beginning Teacher Michelle Cousineau credits her support as instrumental in her professional growth, while Principal Lynn Meall recognizes that the tremendous progress of new teachers is a direct result of Mrs. Manning’s leadership and care.

Mrs. Manning’s influence reaches far beyond academics—she inspires, uplifts, and empowers others every day. We are proud to celebrate her and grateful for the lasting impact she makes on the Wildcats, their staff, and our community.