Aug 23

Aug 23 Greene County Schools welcomes returning staff for the 2022-23 school year

Snow Hill, NC - For the first time in over a decade, Greene County Schools begins a school year with brand new leadership at the top. In June, long time superintendent Patrick Miller and director of Human Resources Raymond Smith both retired leaving Greene county with a combined 90 years of service to the children of the county. This year, Dr. Frank Creech takes the helm of the school district as its superintendent and Dr. Rodney McNeil has stepped into the role of Executive Director of Human Capital replacing Smith.

Each year, the entire county gathers at Greene Central High School to kick off the school year, and this year is no different. Each school garners their own colors and sits in different parts of the gym and cheers on their school. It’s an electric atmosphere that is truly unique in a small county where you truly can get to know everyone. This year, Greene County is the proud home of the NC State Principal of the year Dr. Patrick Greene. Today Greene spoke to the whole county staff, inspiring them to “After being around the State with amazing educators, I have come to the conclusion that it’s time for a revival in education. After two years of mandates and restrictions, we need to take advantage of this opportunity. We need to get excited and engage our students and parents”.

Also, part of the lineup for this celebration was the GCS Teacher of the Year Allie Gray from Greene County intermediate School. “Our students were putting our classrooms from a purpose… The past few years have challenged us but I find myself asking instead of moving normalcy, we should focus on our why. We get to be the one who can change lives to our kids and be the one they remember.” Following her speech, Karla Jennings, the AR of the Alpha Delta Kappa educational sorority, presented Ms. Gray with a gift in honor of her.

Following Dr. Greene, Dr. Rodney McNeil started introductions of new teachers and staff members. Each of the principals introduced new staff members of their school.

This year Dr. Creech said the focus was on “(My) one word for this year is ‘engage’.” He spoke about the spring kitchen table conversations with the community that is driving the district. “A new dedication to recruit, keep, and hire high-quality teachers. We are educating Greene County’s future today, and you are the best people to do this job.”

At the end of the day, the staff was excited to start a new school year. Many of the teachers were most excited about returning to “normal” after 3 years of fighting COVID, masks, separation, and having to adapt on their feet. This year proves to be one of change and excitement. Greene County Schools has begun the effort to turn the tide on Covid and move the district back to the successful student learning and building a community of schools.