Dr. Roneca Wallace Named 2026–2027 Craven County Schools Principal of the Year

Celebrating Transformational Leadership, Student Success, and a Commitment to Excellence

Craven County Schools is proud to celebrate Dr. Roneca Wallace, principal of J.T. Barber Elementary School, as the 2026–2027 Craven County Schools Principal of the Year! This distinguished honor recognizes her exceptional leadership, dedication to student success, and unwavering belief in the potential of every student and educator.

For Dr. Wallace, leadership is more than a title; it is an opportunity to make a lasting difference. Her journey at J.T. Barber Elementary began with a powerful connection to a student and a heartfelt desire to give back to the community where she was raised. At the time, the school faced significant academic challenges and was identified as historically low-performing. Rather than seeing obstacles, Dr. Wallace saw opportunities for growth, transformation, and success.

Through high expectations, a culture of accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence, Dr. Wallace empowered her staff to believe in what every student could achieve. Her leadership helped create an environment where teachers feel supported, students are encouraged to reach their full potential, and families and community partners play an important role in student success.

The results of this collective commitment have been remarkable! Under her leadership, J.T. Barber Elementary has embraced arts integration as an A+ School, improved its state school performance grade from an F to a C, and successfully exited low-performing status. These accomplishments reflect the dedication of an entire school community united by a vision of excellence.

As the district's Principal of the Year, Dr. Wallace will serve as a local advisor to the Board of Education, represent Craven County Schools at various events, and advance to the regional selection process for the Southeast Regional Principal of the Year.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Roneca Wallace on this outstanding achievement! Her passion, perseverance, and transformational leadership are making a lasting impact at J.T. Barber Elementary School and throughout Craven County Schools.

Congratulations, Dr. Wallace! We are proud to celebrate you and the incredible difference you continue to make!

Aimee Cellana Named 2026–2027 Craven County Schools Exceptional Children Educator of Excellence

Celebrating Compassion, Dedication, and a Heart for Helping

Every Student Succeed

Craven County Schools is proud to celebrate Mrs. Aimee Cellana, Occupational Therapist, as the 2026–2027 Craven County Schools Exceptional Children Educator of Excellence! This special recognition honors her outstanding dedication, compassion, and commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of students with disabilities.

What began as a surprise visit to J.T. Barber Elementary School to recognize Mrs. Cellana as the school's Exceptional Children Educator of Excellence quickly became an even bigger celebration when she learned she had also been selected as the districtwide honoree!

Serving students at J.T. Barber Elementary School, Oaks Road Academy, and Grover C. Fields Middle School, Mrs. Cellana's impact reaches far beyond the occupational therapy services she provides. Each day, she helps students build independence, overcome challenges, develop confidence, and achieve meaningful milestones that positively impact their educational experiences and everyday lives.

What truly sets Mrs. Cellana apart is the heart she brings to her work. She sees the potential in every child, celebrates every accomplishment, big or small, and works alongside families and educators to ensure students have the support and resources they need to succeed. Her compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment make her an exceptional advocate for the students she serves.

As the district's Exceptional Children Educator of Excellence, Mrs. Cellana will represent Craven County Schools at the state level, highlighting the incredible work happening across our Exceptional Children programs.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Aimee Cellana on this well-deserved honor! Her dedication is a powerful reminder that exceptional educators do more than provide services; they build confidence, create opportunities, and change lives.

Congratulations, Mrs. Cellana! We are proud to celebrate you and the difference you make for our students every day!

Gateway to Greatness: Celebrating Outstanding Mentorship at

Oaks Road Academy

Great teachers help build great teachers, and at Craven County Schools, we know that strong mentorship plays an important role in helping beginning educators thrive. This month, we are proud to celebrate Ms. Rebekah Schehr of Oaks Road Academy as the recipient of the Gateway to Greatness Award!

Presented by the District Beginning Teacher Mentors, this special recognition honors educators who go above and beyond to guide, encourage, and support beginning teachers as they navigate their first years in the classroom. What makes the award especially meaningful is that recipients are nominated by the very teachers they mentor.

Ms. Schehr was nominated by beginning teacher Ann Cowan, who shared how her mentor's kindness, encouragement, and willingness to help have made a lasting impression during her first few weeks of teaching.

From offering practical advice and sharing valuable classroom resources to taking special "field trips" around the school to discover helpful teaching supplies and math manipulatives, Ms. Schehr has helped make the transition into teaching a little less overwhelming and much more rewarding.

Ann beautifully captured the impact of this support, sharing:

"As a beginning teacher, having someone in my corner who opens doors, shares resources, and offers encouragement has made all the difference."

Ms. Schehr's dedication is a wonderful example of the power of mentorship. By sharing her knowledge, building confidence, and providing a strong foundation of support, she is not only helping a fellow educator succeed but also making a positive difference for the students they serve.

Congratulations, Ms. Rebekah Schehr, on this well-deserved recognition! Thank you for your commitment to supporting the next generation of educators and demonstrating what the Gateway to Greatness Award is all about.

Great teachers help build great teachers, and that is the Gateway to Greatness!

Careers on Wheels Fair Inspires Future Possibilities for

More Than 850 Fifth Graders

Craven County Schools and Craven Community College partner to bring career exploration to life through hands-on learning experiences.

More than 850 Craven County Schools fifth-grade students had the opportunity to explore exciting career possibilities during the district’s 6th Annual Careers on Wheels (COW) Fair, held at Craven Community College. The event provided students with an engaging, hands-on introduction to a wide variety of careers and industries, encouraging them to begin imagining the many possibilities for their futures.

Hosted by the Craven County Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department in partnership with Craven Community College, the annual event transforms career exploration into an interactive learning experience. Students connected with professionals, explored specialized equipment, participated in demonstrations, and learned firsthand about the skills and responsibilities associated with different occupations.

From emergency services and healthcare to construction, transportation, technology, and beyond, the COW Fair introduced students to career pathways they may not have previously considered. Through meaningful conversations and hands-on activities, students gained a better understanding of how classroom learning connects to real-world opportunities.

While students are still years away from making career decisions, early exposure to different professions can help spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire future goals. A single conversation, demonstration, or experience may introduce a student to a passion or career they never knew existed.

The success of the event was made possible through the generous support of Craven Community College and numerous community partners who volunteered their time, shared their expertise, and provided equipment and interactive experiences. Their commitment to connecting students with local career opportunities plays an important role in helping prepare the next generation of skilled professionals.

Craven County Schools also extends its appreciation to the district’s CTE team for coordinating another successful event that supports career awareness and student engagement.

Now in its sixth year, the Careers on Wheels Fair continues to demonstrate the value of strong partnerships between schools, higher education, and the local workforce. More than a day of career exploration, the event is an investment in students' futures—opening doors, inspiring dreams, and helping young learners discover the possibilities that await them.

Teacher Navigates 12 Years as New Bern High School

Senior Class Advisor

Submitted By Adam Miller, NBH Staff Member        

At the end of May, Jill Taylor will stand alone at Caruso-Coates Stadium, having just watched her 12th class of seniors graduate from New Bern High School. The chairs will be collected, the stage will be dismantled, and the crowd noise will have trailed off as families sprawl across Craven County to celebrate their students’ achievements.

For more than a decade, it's been the same set of traditions that seem to happen so effortlessly. Every event, every moment, every detail, carefully planned and executed behind the scenes so that graduating Bears can have the most memorable senior year possible.

“I want to make sure they end high school with a positive experience; something worth celebrating. I don’t want it to be just another school event,” said Taylor. New Bern High School Principal, Dr. Darryl Thomas, Jr., confirmed her commitment to the students: "She puts her heart and soul into taking care of our seniors and making them feel special."

Long before she migrated to Bear country, Jill Caroline Taylor grew up modestly in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. She is the daughter of a stay-at-home mother and CIA officer whose career placed their family on the fringes of historical events. As an infant in 1984, her family lived in Grenada during the volatile aftermath of the controversial Operation Urgent Fury. In 2000, her family uprooted and moved to Sterling, Virginia, where the next September would place her father in the parking lot of the Pentagon on 9/11. She graduated from Potomac Falls High School in 2002 and earned her Registered Nurse credentials in 2003 through an accelerated early college pathway at the Monroe Technology Center. 

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