Stephanie Reep
A seasoned principal is coming to lead Bethlehem Elementary School. Stephanie Reep has been named as the new principal by Alexander County School Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin. She was approved by the Board of Education Monday morning.
Reep is currently the principal at Friendship Elementary School in Davidson County. She’s served there as principal for about two-and-a-half years. Beforehand, she was an assistant principal in Davidson at Wallburg Elementary for more than two years. She assumes the Bethlehem role after sitting principal Charles Draper resigned to work with Oxford Baptist Church in Conover.
Reep attended UNC-Wilmington and Gardner-Webb University. She’s worked most of her career as a second and third grade teacher. She’s also served as a reading specialist and lead teacher.
The school Reep is leaving is like Bethlehem in size, performance, and student body. The most recent North Carolina school report shows Friendship Elementary has 465 students and earned a “B” last school year based on state standardized testing. According to US Census data, Friendship Elementary is made up of 71% white students, 13% Hispanic, and nearly 8% African American.
Reep says the supportive Bethlehem community helped draw her there. “I know that it’s a great community, and that’s where I’m coming from. I have a variety of experience so any time I can utilize my knowledge for students and to help them be successful I’m willing to be in that community,” says Reep.
Reep’s principal’s page at Friendship says, “I am passionate about helping students grow and use their potential to be successful in all that they accomplish as they go through their lives.”
Reep will start with some face-to-face time with ACS employees. “I would love to do a meet and greet with my staff. Have each one of them come in individually and go over what their strengths are, what they love about Bethlehem, what do they want to continue at the school and then set up a time to meet with the community,” she says.
Her focus will be hands-on learning and problem solving along with continuing Bethlehem’s reputation as a high performing school.
Photo: Alexander County Schools