Central Office Administrative changes
Alexander County Head Start Director
Ms. Cathy C. Knepp was named the Alexander County Head Start Director, effective July 1, 2022. She will replace Mrs. Charmion Frizsell, retiring from the school district on June 30, 2022. Ms. Knepp has over twenty years of experience as the child development coordinator for Head Start & Early Head Start with Blue Ridge Community Action, Inc. in Morganton, NC. She also served as an adjunct instructor for Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute.
Public Information Officer
Dr. Denita Dowell-Reavis was named the public information officer for the school system, effective July 1, 2022. She will replace Mrs. Renee Meade, retiring from the school district with over 20 years of service, on June 30, 2022.
Dr. Dowell-Reavis has served as the principal at Hiddenite Elementary School since July 1, 2021. Before moving to Alexander County Schools, Dr. Dowell-Reavis served as a principal for five years in Rowan-Salisbury Schools. She served four years as an assistant principal, two years as an instructional facilitator, and taught high school journalism. Prior to her role in education, she was involved in television news broadcasting.
Federal Programs and Testing & Accountability Director
Mrs. Andrea Robinette was named the federal programs and testing & accountability director effective June 13, 2022. She replaces Mrs. Jessica Anderson, who advanced to the executive director of exceptional children and student support services. Robinette served as an assistant principal at Alexander Central High School from 2016 to 2022. Mrs. Robinette was the instructional coach at East and West Alexander Middle Schools from 2015 to 2016. She was the media coordinator from 2008 to 2015 and taught from 2002 to 2008 at Wittenburg Elementary School. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNC Asheville, a master’s degree in library science, and a graduate certificate in school administration from Appalachian State University.
*Exceptional Children and Student Services Executive Director
Mrs. Jessica Anderson was named the exceptional children and student support services executive director, effective June 1. She replaces Dr. Robyn Helton, who retired on June 1, 2022. Anderson most recently served as the testing & accountability director for the school district. She served as the assistant director of exceptional children in Carteret County for over three years. She has three years of experience in administration at multiple school levels and has served as a dropout prevention director.
Mrs. Anderson has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s in anthropology, and a master’s in school administration from East Carolina University. Mrs. Anderson is in the doctoral education program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Alexander Central High School changes
Assistant Principals
Mrs. Ashley Mayo will serve as the assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Alexander Central High School (ACHS) effective June 13, 2022. The position is a 12-month position. She replaces Mrs. Robinette, who was promoted to the position of federal programs and testing & accountability director.
Mrs. Mayo began at ACHS as an assistant principal in 2020. Mrs. Mayo was an educator for ten years. She began her career with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools at Ardrey Kell High School before spending eight years as a science teacher in Caldwell County. Mrs. Mayo has her bachelor’s degree in biology from UNC Charlotte and a master’s degree in biology from the University of West Alabama. She is currently attending Appalachian State University to receive her graduate certificate in school leadership.
Mr. Brett Huffman has been named to serve in the assistant principal position at ACHS vacated by Mrs. Mayo. Mr. Huffman served as the assistant principal and athletic director at Maiden Middle School from 2019 until June 2022. He has experience as an elementary assistant principal and teaching experience in social studies at the high school level and is certified to teach advanced placement courses. Mr. Huffman also has an extensive coaching background.
Student Success Center
Ms. Amy Johnson was named the Student Success Center coordinator effective July 1, 2022. She will replace Mr. Jeff Mayo, who accepted the principalship at Gateway Alternative School in Caldwell County.
Ms. Johnson has served as the assistant principal at East Alexander Middle School since August 2021. Before working in Alexander County Schools, she served as the 504 Coordinator/Counselor for Iredell-Statesville Schools and as an assistant principal at Coddle Creek Elementary School, Lake Norman High School, and West Iredell High School.
East Alexander Middle School
Mrs. Jennifer Miller was named the East Alexander Middle School assistant principal effective July 1, 2022. She is filling the position vacated by Mrs. Amy Johnson’s move to the coordinator position at the Student Success Center.Mrs. Miller recently served as the instructional coach at Wittenburg Elementary School since 2020. She has over 20 years of experience in education with a master’s degree in middle grades and secondary education. She is pursuing an add-on license in administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
West Alexander Middle School
Ms. Jessica Mundy was named West Alexander Middle School (WAMS) assistant principal effective June 15, 2022. She is filling the position vacated by Mrs. Katelyn Nash’s appointment to the principalship at WAMS. Ms. Mundy has served as the instructional coach at Hiddenite Elementary School since July 2019. She has a master’s degree in school administration from Appalachian State University and has her national board certification.
Hiddenite Elementary School
Mrs. Amy Daigle was named Hiddenite Elementary School principal effective July 1, 2022. Mrs. Daigle will fill the position vacated by Mrs. Denita Dowell-Reavis, who transitioned to the public information officer position at the district level. Mrs. Daigle has been the assistant principal between Bethlehem and Hiddenite Elementary Schools since August 5, 2021. From 2018 to 2021, Mrs. Daigle has served as the assistant principal at East Alexander Middle School. She taught in Catawba County Schools for nine years. She has a bachelor’s degree in science from Appalachian State University and a master’s in school administration from UNC-Wilmington.