Vance County Schools’ Principal of the Year

October 12, 2015 Education

Somerville 1Heddie Somerville, the principal at Pinkston Street Elementary School for the past four years, has been selected as the 2015-2016 Vance County Schools’ Principal of the Year.

She was chosen for the honor after interviews were conducted by a special selection committee.

Mrs. Somerville is receiving the prestigious award after leading Pinkston Street Elementary to success in the 2014-2015 school year that saw students have some of the highest growth in reading and mathematics in the school district. The school also met state growth standards and increased its School Performance Grade by one grade. The school’s third-grade N.C. Read to Achieve scores also showed substantial improvement with student proficiency rising to 84 percent from 68 percent the previous year.

Somerville 2Mrs. Somerville has worked at Pinkston Street Elementary School her entire educational career over the last 23 years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal.

She is described by Jo Tyler, a member of the Pinkston Street faculty who nominated her for the honor, as a knowledgeable and proficient leader.

“Under her leadership, our school has been recognized for many accomplishments,” Tyler wrote. “She has insight, excellent organizational skills, an in-depth grasp of the curriculum and has worked diligently establishing relationships on all levels . . . She unselfishly gives in innumerable ways and her extreme gift of building relationships with and improving the lives of others (students, parents, staff, colleagues; most everyone she comes in contact with) has made her a great leader.”

Mrs. Somerville earned the Principal of the Year award as a fellow nominee among an outstanding field of educational leaders. Other Principal of the Year nominees and their schools include:

  • Kristen Boyd of Aycock Elementary School

  • Dr. John Hargrove of Henderson Middle School

  • Marylaura McKoon of E.O. Young Jr. Elementary School

  • Dr. Michael Putney of Dabney Elementary School

  • Dr. Harold Thompson of New Hope Elementary School

  • Dr. Larry Webb of Northern Vance High School

Mrs. Somerville was surprised by a presentation to announce her recognition this morning at her school. The first attached photo shows Mrs. Somerville, second from left, being praised by Superintendent Anthony Jackson, far left, Gloria J. White, chairperson of the Board of Education, and Ed Wilson, a member of the Board of Education, far right. In the second attached photo, Mrs. Somerville is surrounded by kindergarten students in Renee Overby’s classroom as they congratulate their principal with hugs.
Congratulations to Mrs. Somerville and all of her fellow nominees!
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