I just completed my 38 ^th year in public education and am excited about the new year and to  team with the students, parents and staff at Sharon Elementary School. We plan to continue our quest to challenge students to the highest levels of learning possible. Prior to coming to Sharon Elementary I served as principal at Celeste Henkel for 15 years. Before that I was the assistant principal at Statesville Middle School for 6.5 years. Prior years in education were spent teaching all grades 1-8 with a majority of time spent in grades 6-8 in North Carolina and Ohio teaching math/social studies/science. I hold a Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Akron University and a Masters of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Ashland University with additional certification in administration from UNCC. My wife and I have been married 36 years and we have three children: a technology specialist in a school (WCU grad) in the Bronx, a physician assistant (ECU grad) at Pitt Community Hospital, Greenville and one (ECU grad) a social worker in Kinston, NC. Presently my out of school activities include chairman of the board for the Upper Room and volunteer at the Upper Room some Saturday evenings.  My passions are Biblical studies, physical fitness, landscaping and developing relationships with students to help them prepare for the future they were created for. My educational goals for this year are to see Sharon Elementary become prepared to handle the new common core and continue to be known as a school where all staff care about students and develop leaders for the 21st century.