Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools’ Post

Congratulations to Michelle Wood, appointed as the new Athletic Director at East Chapel Hill High School! Coach Wood has taught P.E. in CHCCS for 32 years, and along the way has been named Teacher of the Year at Rashkis and Seawell elementary schools numerous times. She’s been involved in many sports since the age of 6, becoming well-known in the high school ranks for a successful 22-year run as a head coach for both volleyball and basketball, and more recently as an assistant swim coach at East. She also served as a North Carolina Coaches Association head basketball coach of the East (NC) All-Stars. Coach Wood told us, “I’m so excited to step into this new role. East is like home to me, and I am looking forward to helping ensure our Wildcat Athletics program is nothing but the best for our students and families!” Coach Wood takes on the AD role full-time after previously serving as a game day administrator. "Michelle is a great example of a servant leader. She has always stepped up to the plate to do what is best for kids,” said Scarlett Steinert, CHCCS director of Healthful Living, P.E. and Athletics. “I am looking forward to working with her as the Athletic Director at East.” 

We are pleased to share that Mr. Jordi Roman will join us in July as the new principal of Carrboro Elementary School! Mr. Roman comes to us from his most recent position as the Executive Director of Family Engagement and Partnerships with Rowan-Salisbury Schools. ¡Nos complace compartir que el Sr. Jordi Roman se unirá a nosotros como el nuevo director de la Escuela Primaria Carrboro en julio! El Sr. Roman viene de su puesto más reciente como Director Ejecutivo de Participación Familiar y Asociaciones con las Escuelas Rowan-Salisbury. He says, "I am thrilled to join the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district and the Carrboro Elementary community. Together, we'll celebrate diversity and inspire excellence in every child. Our journey ahead is filled with endless possibilities, and I can't wait to partner with our staff and families to continue to create a warm and engaging learning environment where every student can thrive and shine.” As a dedicated, multilingual educational leader, Mr. Roman’s career in education spans several years during which he has served in various leadership positions. In his most recent role in Rowan-Salisbury, he focused on creating inclusive family engagement programs and developing professional development initiatives for educators, including supporting multilingual learners and their families. Prior to that, he established and directed the Rowan Learning Lab School, where he spearheaded the recruitment of master teachers, coaches and pre-service college students. He also served as a Principal at Donna Lee Loflin Elementary with Asheboro City Schools, where he led the implementation of Academic Family-Teacher Team nights: events designed to foster stronger partnerships between families and educators. He also worked as a consultant for the North Carolina Teacher Academy, co-authoring and leading statewide professional development sessions for educators state wide. Mr. Roman’s personal background includes growing up in Miami, Florida. He was raised in a multi-language household and immersed in Italian and Venezuelan culture. His educational background includes a Master's in School Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master's in Secondary Education from The College of New Jersey and a Bachelor's degree in Education from Southeastern University. He is fluent in Spanish, with intermediate proficiency in Italian. Welcome, Mr. Roman!

Congratulations to Shellceeta Hemmings (Smith Middle School), honored with our Mentor Teacher Spotlight for the month of May. Shellceeta's nomination was shared by Beritah Mustiso, a beginning teacher she mentors: “I am nominating Ms. Hemmings because of her excellent skills and abilities in her mentoring relationship and practice which are built on mutual respect, honesty, and confidence. She recognizes and values my abilities as she seeks ways to enhance them. As an EC teacher for many years, Ms. Hemmings uses her invaluable wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience coupled with humility, wisdom, and acceptance to mentor me. She is approachable, and accessible, and listens to understand my challenges as a beginning teacher. Her mentoring skills and abilities have not only advanced my professional development as a beginning teacher, but they have also enhanced my personal growth as a person.” Our district is better and our students benefit from your work and leadership, Shellceeta!

Congratulations to Catherine Sweat (McDougle Middle School), honored with our Mentor Teacher Spotlight for the month of April. Catherine's nomination was shared by Sarah Landis, a beginning teacher she mentors: “Catherine is already mentor of the month because of her steadfastness. The end of the year at our school has pitched us one curveball after another. On top of processing stressful events, end-of-the-year testing, field trips, schedule changes, illnesses, etc... for herself, she has helped me navigate them. It feels like every situation I have found myself in is unique and we say, "this is a new one." When I had an issue with a student saying inappropriate things, she dropped everything and we handled the situation right away with admin. She didn't just take charge either- she asked what I wanted to do and made sure I had her support and reassurance along the way. When we had a difficult situation arise at our school, she was there to support my decisions. These are only two examples of my mentor leading me through challenging moments with her guidance and strength, but also encouraging my autonomy.” Our district is better and our students benefit from your work and leadership, Catherine!

Congratulations to Briannah Marklin (Carrboro Elementary School), honored with our Beginning Teacher Spotlight for the month for April. Briannah was nominated by Jennifer Halsey, her principal: “Briannah is a 2nd year teacher and she is amazing. Walking into her classroom you immediately feel safe and welcomed. She models Conscious Discipline, Restorative Practices, and Culturally Relevant Teaching practices like a seasoned teacher. She gives her students a voice and teaches them how to problem solve on their own, without always needing an adult to step in. She builds great relationships with her students and her colleagues. While only being in her second year as a teacher she is already an emerging leader on our equity team and in our school. Her students demonstrated excellent growth last year and she earned a bonus from the state for that growth! We are so fortunate to have her at CES!” Thank you for your extraordinary work, Briannah!

Congratulations to Shaunna Jeffries (Frank Porter Graham Bilingue Elementary School), honored with our Beginning Teacher Spotlight for the month for March. Shaunna was nominated by Larisa Cortes, her mentor: “Shaunna goes above and beyond for her students every day. She was nominated for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching because she is such a strong math teacher. Her students use accountable talk and answer higher order questions every day. They are solid readers and writers because of Ms. Jeffries' dedication. She has shown time and again that she knows how to build relationships with students. Every one of them has a stake in their education because of the love of learning she instills into them.” Thank you for your extraordinary work, Shaunna!

HAPPENING TOMORROW! Join us for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Career Fair! If you're interested in any role (or know someone who is), all 20 schools and departments will be represented in one place! Meet with school leaders, learn about opportunities within our Transportation and IT departments, or learn more about joining our team as a substitute. • When: Saturday, March 23, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. • Where: Chapel Hill High School gymnasium (1709 High School Rd.) • Click here to RSVP so we can continue to share information about this event: https://bit.ly/3u9i5nh

Join us for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Career Fair! If you're interested in any role (or know someone who is), all 20 schools and departments will be represented in one place! Meet with school leaders, learn about opportunities within our Transportation and IT departments, or learn more about joining our team as a substitute. • When: Saturday, March 23, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. • Where: Chapel Hill High School gymnasium (1709 High School Rd.) • Click here to RSVP so we can continue to share information about this event: https://bit.ly/3u9i5nh

Congratulations to Shaunna Jeffries who was nominated for the The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). This is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. The Awards were established by Congress in 1983. The President recognizes up to 108 exemplary teachers each year. Shaunna is currently a 4th Grade Dual Language Teacher at Frank Porter Graham Bilingue Elementary School. She has previously served our district as a teacher assistant at Carrboro Elementary and Frank Porter Graham Bilingue Elementary. Shaunna’s principal, Karen Galassi-Ferrer, shares: “Ms. Jeffries is simply magical! Upon entering her classroom, you feel an overwhelming sense of community, joy, and calm. She creates a safe and inclusive environment that allows all students to explore who they are and who they want to become. Students are willing to take risks as they know their community and teacher will support them regardless of the accuracy of their answers/ideas/attempts. Ms. Jeffries's children exhibit a pride to be one of her children and know that once they are one of Ms. Jeffries's babies, they will always be one of her babies.” Thank you, Shaunna, for bringing excellence to your work and to your students every day!