Craven County Schools Announces Leadership Appointments for the 2026-2027 School Year
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Craven County Schools is pleased to announce new leadership appointments for the 2026-2027 school year, effective July 1, 2026. These leaders bring a wide range of experience, dedication, and passion for serving students, staff, families, and the communities across the district.
Please join Craven County Schools in congratulating and welcoming these leaders to their new roles. We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to the continued growth, success, and opportunities their leadership will help support throughout our schools.
Dr. LaKeisa Boone
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
Dr. LaKeisa Boone brings more than 20 years of experience in education to her new role as Assistant Superintendent of Student Services. Throughout her career, she has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, Beginning Teacher Coordinator, Executive Director, and Assistant Superintendent. Dr. Boone is known for bringing positivity, structure, and a student-centered approach to each role she serves.
In her new position, Dr. Boone looks forward to making a meaningful impact on the lives of students each day. She is committed to building strong relationships with students, families, and staff while advocating for student needs and contributing to a supportive school environment where every student feels valued, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Dr. Emily Pake
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Dr. Emily Pake joins Craven County Schools as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources with 23 years of experience in public education, including 17 years in school leadership. She earned a Bachelor of Science in History Education from East Carolina University, a Master of Education from Cambridge College, and a Doctor of Education degree from East Carolina University.
Dr. Pake began her career as a Social Studies teacher and later moved into school administration. From 2012 to 2026, she served as Principal of Beaufort County Early College High School, where the school earned the 2023 National Blue Ribbon School designation, achieved 100% school growth, and ranked among North Carolina’s top-performing schools. In her new role, Dr. Pake looks forward to supporting educators, strengthening systems, and collaborating with school leaders, staff, students, families, and community partners to help both educators and students succeed.
Mr. Jason Griffin
Chief of Schools
Mr. Jason Griffin has been named Chief of Schools for Craven County Schools. In this role, he will supervise and support principals across the district while helping build leadership capacity to increase school performance and student achievement. Mr. Griffin brings extensive educational experience and a strong record of instructional leadership to this district-wide position.
Mr. Griffin earned an Education Specialist degree in Education and Administration from East Carolina University, a Master of School Administration from Elizabeth City State University, a master’s degree in Middle Grades Mathematics from East Carolina University, and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina University. He has received numerous recognitions throughout his career, including the 2017 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year, National Association of Federal Program Administrators Director of the Year, and National Distinguished Principal. As Chief of Schools, he will work closely with principals and district leaders to strengthen instructional practices, improve student outcomes, and foster a culture of continuous growth and collaboration.
Dr. Gregory Monroe
Principal, Havelock Middle School
Dr. Gregory Monroe will serve as Principal of Havelock Middle School after most recently serving as Director of Student Services for Craven County Schools. Entering his 29th year as an educator, Dr. Monroe brings extensive experience in teaching, school administration, district leadership, student services, human resources, operations, and alternative education.
Dr. Monroe began his career in Greene County Schools and has also served in leadership roles in Wake, Pitt, Halifax, Martin, and Craven Counties. He earned an Associate in Arts degree from Lenoir Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Master of School Administration, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University. Dr. Monroe looks forward to continuing his service to students, families, staff, and the community as he leads Havelock Middle School.
Dr. Nannette Walston-Moore
Principal, West Craven High School
Dr. Nannette Walston-Moore will serve as Principal of West Craven High School, returning home as a proud 1995 graduate of the school. Her career has come full circle as she rejoins the Eagle family, having previously served the district as a Career and Technical Education teacher and extracurricular advisor.
Dr. Walston-Moore brings 16 years of educational experience and a strong commitment to supporting students in academics, athletics, the arts, and career pathways. Her leadership has been recognized through honors, including Beginning Teacher of the Year, West Craven Middle School Teacher of the Year, and Craven County Schools Assistant Principal of the Year for 2024-2025. She holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and a master’s degree in Executive Leadership from Gardner-Webb University, along with an undergraduate degree from Saint Augustine’s University. She is excited to build upon the rich legacy of West Craven High School while helping prepare future Eagle alumni for success.
Mrs. Michelle Warren
Principal, Arthur W. Edwards Elementary School
Mrs. Michelle Warren will serve as Principal of Arthur W. Edwards Elementary School. She brings a diverse background in education, including 15 years of classroom teaching across grades K-6, six years as a reading coach focused on K-3 literacy, and leadership experience at both the middle school and district program levels.
Mrs. Warren has served as an assistant principal, middle school principal, and, most recently, as the leader of Craven Virtual Academy, serving students in grades 3-12. Her experience has shaped a leadership approach grounded in strong instruction, collaboration, data-informed decision-making, and a focus on every learner. She is excited to return to a traditional school environment where in-person collaboration and strong relationships with students, families, and staff will anchor the work of building a safe, engaging, and high-performing learning community.
Mrs. Danielle Banks
Assistant Principal, Brinson Memorial Elementary School
Mrs. Danielle Banks will serve as Assistant Principal of Brinson Memorial Elementary School. A proud native of Carteret County, Mrs. Banks has dedicated 26 years to education and has served students and families in a variety of teaching and leadership roles across multiple grade levels.
Mrs. Banks began her career at Arapahoe Charter School before teaching in Carteret County and joining Craven County Schools in 2006 as a fifth-grade teacher at Brinson Memorial Elementary. She later earned a Master of Library Science degree from East Carolina University and served as Media Coordinator at Creekside Elementary School for 16 years. She is National Board Certified and earned her Master of School Administration degree from Gardner-Webb University. After serving as a School Climate, Culture, and Behavior Support Specialist at H.J. MacDonald Middle School and Assistant Principal at Graham A. Barden Elementary School, Mrs. Banks is excited to come full circle and rejoin the Brinson Memorial family.
Mr. Bobby Cox Jr.
Assistant Principal, West Craven High School
Mr. Bobby Cox Jr. will serve as Assistant Principal of West Craven High School after most recently serving as Assistant Principal at West Craven Middle School. With 22 years of experience in Craven County Schools, Mr. Cox brings a strong commitment to building relationships, supporting students and staff, and creating positive learning environments.
Mr. Cox earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Elon University and began his career in education in 2004 as a teacher assistant in the Exceptional Children’s Program at West Craven Middle School. He later served at West Craven High School as ISS Coordinator, Social Studies teacher, bus driver, football coach, and assistant athletic director. He was named West Craven High School Teacher of the Year in 2021 and went on to earn a master’s degree in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University and a Master of School Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He is honored to return to West Craven High School and looks forward to supporting the continued success of the Eagle family.
Mr. Keith Davis
Assistant Principal, Trent Park Elementary School
Mr. Keith Davis will return to Trent Park Elementary School as Assistant Principal for the 2026-2027 school year. He brings 21 years of educational experience and a strong commitment to student success back to the “Home of the Tigers.”
Mr. Davis earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Theatre with a dual concentration in Religious Studies from Elon University, licensure certification in Education from East Carolina University, and a Master of Science degree in School Administration from the University of Scranton. His career in Craven County Schools began in 2008 as the theater arts teacher and director at Grover C. Fields Middle School. He later served as assistant principal at Grover C. Fields Middle School, J.T. Barber Elementary School, and Trent Park Elementary School before serving as principal of Graham A. Barden Elementary School from 2023 to 2026. Mr. Davis believes deeply in the importance of care, connection, and impact, and looks forward to serving the students, staff, families, and community of Trent Park Elementary School.
Mrs. Ashley Etheredge
Assistant Principal, Bridgeton Elementary School
Mrs. Ashley Etheredge will serve as Assistant Principal of Bridgeton Elementary School. She brings 13 years of experience in education and a strong passion for supporting students, schools, and positive learning environments.
Mrs. Etheredge began her career in Craven County Schools as a middle school band director, where she focused on creating meaningful opportunities for students both inside and outside the classroom. She was awarded a national instrument grant through the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and was nominated for the Country Music Association Foundation’s Teachers of Excellence Award in 2024. Most recently, she completed the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program through East Carolina University while completing a two-year administrative internship at Grover C. Fields Middle School. She holds a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in K-12 Music Education and a Master of School Administration degree from East Carolina University. Mrs. Etheredge looks forward to joining the Bridgeton Elementary family and supporting a school culture where every child feels encouraged, supported, and inspired to succeed.
Mrs. Jessica Fortescue
Assistant Principal, West Craven High School
Mrs. Jessica Fortescue will serve as Assistant Principal of West Craven High School. Throughout her career in Craven County Schools, she has served as a math teacher, assistant principal, principal, district instructional leader, and AVID support lead.
Mrs. Fortescue’s experience has allowed her to work closely with students, teachers, families, and community members to support student achievement and create positive learning environments. She is especially excited to return to the west side of the county, a community that holds a special place in her heart. Mrs. Fortescue believes in building strong relationships, supporting teacher growth, and ensuring students have the opportunities and resources they need to succeed. She looks forward to becoming part of the West Craven High School family and working alongside students, staff, and the community to continue building on the school’s success.
Mr. Montrell Lee
Assistant Principal, A.H. Bangert Elementary School
Mr. Montrell Lee will serve as Assistant Principal of A.H. Bangert Elementary School. He brings a strong background in teaching, coaching, school administration, and school leadership to his new role.
Mr. Lee is a 2008 graduate of The Citadel, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. He began his career as a Physical Education teacher at West Craven Middle School, where he also served as co-head football coach and head coach of basketball, soccer, and track. He later earned a Master of Arts degree in Executive Leadership from Gardner-Webb University. Mr. Lee served as Assistant Principal at West Craven High School from 2014-2020, Principal of Grover C. Fields Middle School during the 2020-2021 school year, and Principal of West Craven High School from 2021-2026. He is excited to serve the students, staff, families, and community of A.H. Bangert Elementary School.
Mr. Billy Townsend
Assistant Principal, Havelock High School
Mr. Billy Townsend will serve as Assistant Principal of Havelock High School. A proud graduate of Craven County Schools, Class of 2004, Mr. Townsend is passionate about public education and inspiring future leaders.
Mr. Townsend earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and a Master of Science in School Administration from East Carolina University. His career began at Jacksonville High School, where he taught Health and Physical Education, served as department chair, and coached football, indoor track, and lacrosse. He later returned to Craven County as a Health and Physical Education teacher at West Craven Middle School, where he coached multiple sports, served as department chair, and participated on the School Improvement Team. After completing his degree in school administration, he served as Assistant Principal at New Bern High School and Grover C. Fields Middle School. Mr. Townsend is excited to return to a high school setting and looks forward to supporting students, staff, families, athletics, the arts, and the vibrant military-connected community of Havelock High School.
Craven County Schools congratulates each of these leaders on their new appointments. We are grateful for their service, leadership, and commitment to students and look forward to an exciting and successful 2026-2027 school year.