Leadership Updates: 2025-2026
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Craven County Schools is proud to announce the following appointments and transitions, as approved by the Board of Education.
“As we prepare for the upcoming school year, I am proud to announce our new assistant principal assignments across our elementary, middle, and high schools. These leaders bring a strong commitment to student success, staff support, and community partnership. Each assignment reflects thoughtful consideration of each school’s needs and the unique strengths of our administrators, said Mr. Rick Stout, Interim Superintendent. "I am confident that this year's leadership team will help foster thriving, inclusive, and high-achieving learning environments for all students. Together, we are building on a foundation of excellence and forward momentum.”
Lara Nobles Named Assistant Principal of Ben D. Quinn Elementary School
A lifelong Craven County resident and a proud West Craven High School graduate, Mrs. Nobles is a product of Craven County Schools. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in English and holds a Master’s degree in School Administration, Curriculum and Instruction.
Mrs. Nobles brings over 24 years of experience in education, having served in various roles throughout her distinguished career. Most recently, she served as a district instructional coach at Craven County Schools. She is also a certified NCSIP Reading Research to Classroom Practice (RRtCP) Facilitator and an NCSIP Math Foundations Facilitator, further demonstrating her strong foundation in literacy and numeracy instruction
Her dedication to educational excellence and her passion for supporting students and teachers alike have been hallmarks of her professional journey. Her deep commitment to children and belief in the power of education have been the driving forces behind her work. Mrs. Nobles is excited to join the Ben D. Quinn Elementary School community and looks forward to collaborating with students, staff, and families to foster a nurturing and achievement-oriented environment.
Beyond her professional commitments, Mrs. Nobles enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Joey, and their two daughters. Their eldest, Lilly, is a proud graduate of Craven County Schools, while their youngest, Caroline, is currently an elementary student within the district. As a family, they especially enjoy spending time together at the beach.
Kristina Lowe Named Assistant Principal of Bridgeton Elementary School
Kristina Lowe began her career in education in 2010 as a teacher in Robeson County, North Carolina, where she taught for nine years. She moved to Craven County in 2019, teaching two years at HJ Macdonald Middle School and one year at Havelock High School. She has served as an assistant principal at Grover C. Fields for the past three years. "Having worked in the secondary setting for all of my career, I am eager to bring my knowledge and passion for education to a new age group and support young students as they build a strong foundation for learning. I am thrilled t o work with the staff and community to ensure that all students at Bridgeton Elementary School are prepared for middle school and beyond. I look forward to growing alongside the Bridgeton community and contributing to a positive, nurturing learning environment. I am so excited to join the Clippership!"
Shannon Potter Named Assistant Principal of Creekside Elementary School
With a strong background in education and leadership, Mrs. Potter brings a deep passion for student success, collaboration, and academic excellence.
Shannon Potter brings over 26 years of dedicated experience in education to her role as Assistant Principal of Creekside Elementary. A lifelong educator in Craven County Schools, Mrs. Potter began her career at Oaks Road Elementary, where she spent 11 years in the classroom before joining Creekside Elementary for another 11 years. In 2021, she transitioned into a district-level role as a Learning Systems Coach, supporting educators through curriculum development, instructional modeling, and professional growth initiatives.
Mrs. Potter holds a B.A. in Political Science and Criminal Justice from North Carolina State University, as well as an Elementary Education certification from East Carolina University. Her commitment to lifelong learning is reflected in her advanced degrees from East Carolina University, including a Master’s in Mathematics Education and a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher, recognized for her reflective practice and instructional excellence.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Potter has focused on building strong relationships with students, staff, and families. She is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment for all learners.
She is excited to bring her positive attitude, energy, enthusiasm, and genuine love for education to her Creekside school community.
In addition to her professional commitments, Mrs. Potter takes pleasure in spending quality time with her husband, John, and their children—Matt, Chris, and Morgan. She particularly cherishes the opportunity to spoil her grandchildren, bake desserts, and tend to her garden.
She is excited to return “home” to Creekside and once again be a Croc!
Dequetta Cannon Named Assistant Principal of Havelock Elementary School
Dequetta Cannon is a proud product of Craven County Schools. She attended James W. Smith Elementary, West Craven Middle School, and graduated from West Craven High School in 2003.
With nearly two decades of experience in education, Dequetta began her teaching career after graduating from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 2007. She spent the early years of her career teaching in Guilford County Schools. As an Army spouse, she had the unique opportunity to teach in several districts, including Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools and Wayne County Public Schools. In her pursuit of continuous professional growth, she earned a Master of Science in Elementary Reading and Literacy from Walden University. Additionally, she completed a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University in 2017.
In 2021, Dequetta was thrilled to return to her roots in Craven County Schools. As a District Instructional Coach, she has had the privilege of working closely with educators to enhance their teaching strategies and build curriculum capacity. One of the most fulfilling aspects of her role has been coaching and modeling lessons, which enabled her to make a direct impact on both teachers and students.
Dequetta is excited to join Havelock Elementary School as its new Assistant Principal, an opportunity that allows her to contribute to the district that shaped her own educational journey. She looks forward to collaborating with staff and students to create a positive, growth-oriented environment. Dequetta is especially eager to work alongside dedicated educators to enhance curriculum implementation and support innovative teaching strategies. Her goal is to inspire both students and staff to achieve excellence while fostering a nurturing atmosphere that encourages continuous learning and development.
Outside of her professional life, family is at the heart of everything Dequetta does. She is married to Aaron and is a proud mother to their son, Christian, who also attends school in Craven County. Dequetta cherishes her roles as a daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, niece, and friend, as each one holds a special place in her heart. These roles ground her and fuel her passion for serving others.
Carmen Graham-King Named Assistant Principal of Roger Bell New Tech Academy
Carmen Graham-King is thrilled to join the RBNTA community as the new Assistant Principal! Carmen’s journey in education began with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), followed by a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Most recently, she earned a Master’s in School Administration with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction from East Carolina University.
Before stepping into administration, Carmen served as a District Instructional Coach and classroom teacher for Craven County Schools, supporting educators and students in creating engaging, student- centered learning environments. Her passion lies in instructional leadership, curriculum development, and helping teachers grow in their practice, especially through the use of innovative instructional strategies.
Outside of work, Carmen enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as exploring the outdoors. Whether it's a quiet hike, a day on the slopes, or enjoying the salt air, she values the activities that keep her refreshed.
Having worked alongside RBNTA for the past four years as a District Instructional Coach, Carmen has come to deeply appreciate the school’s vibrant and committed staff, its strong instructional leadership, and its innovative use of technology in the classroom. She is excited to continue to be a part of a school community where collaboration, creativity, and student success are the foundation of all we do.
Carmen Graham-King is looking forward to supporting our amazing educators, building strong relationships with families, and contributing to the continued excellence at Roger Bell New Tech Academy!
Billy Townsend Named Assistant Principal of Grover C. Fields Middle School
Billy Townsend is excited to join the Grover C. Fields Middle School Family as an Assistant Principal. Mr. Townsend shares, "As a proud graduate of New Bern High School (04), the opportunity to inspire the next generation of leaders is exciting. With a passion for education and a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment, I will bring my educational experience and leadership to the administration team." Mr. Townsend holds a Bachelor of Science in Health/Physical Education (the University of North Carolina at Pembroke) and a Master's in School Administration (East Carolina University).
Mr. Townsend began teaching at Jacksonville High School as a Health/PE teacher and a coach. He served as the department chair for the Physical Education (PE) Department and coached football, indoor track, and lacrosse. The opportunity to return to Craven County Schools presented itself as a Health and Physical Education position at West Craven Middle. Beyond the classroom, at West Craven Middle, he excelled in leadership roles, including serving as a member of the School Improvement Team and as a School-Wide Goal Team leader, where he was responsible for building relationships with the school's community stakeholders. For the past two years, he served as an Assistant Principal at New Bern High School. While serving his Alma mater, he was the transportation coordinator and Advanced Placement Testing Coordinator and worked with the PE, Social Studies, and Foreign Language Departments.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Mr. Townsend enjoys spending time with his family, attending Clemson Football games, and traveling throughout the southeast to short-track racing venues. He is looking forward to contributing his expertise and enthusiasm to the Grover C Fields community and working closely with all stakeholders to continue the tradition of excellence.
Cortez Bryant Named Assistant Principal of New Bern High School
Cortez Bryant is excited to be a part of empowering and cultivating the future leaders of Craven County Schools. It brings him much joy to be announced as one of the Assistant Principals at New Bern High School. Mr. Bryant is a graduate of Elizabeth City State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. Additionally, he is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a Master of School Administration Degree.
Born and raised in North Carolina, Mr. Bryant has been educating students within the North Carolina School System for the past 13 years. He began his educational career teaching middle and high school band and general music. After teaching middle and high school band for two years, he began his eight-year tenure as an Elementary School general music, orchestra, and chorus teacher. From 2022 to 2024, he served as Assistant Principal at West Craven Middle School. In 2024, he was assigned to Grover C. Fields Middle School and served there as an Assistant Principal this past school year. In his new role as Assistant Principal at New Bern High School, he looks forward to positively impacting the lives of students and staff, as well as building strong relationships within the community. "GO BEARS!!!"
Two of his mottos that he stands by are "Once a Learner, Always A Learner" and "Never Forget Your Why.”
Jessica Fortescue Named Assistant Principal of New Bern High
Jessica Fortescue is an experienced educator and instructional leader who currently serves as the District Secondary Content Specialist and AVID Support for Craven County Schools. With over two decades of experience in education and a strong foundation in fostering instructional growth, she brings a deep commitment to the success of both students and teachers.
Jessica began her career as a middle school math teacher before transitioning into school administration, where she served as both an assistant principal and principal. In these roles, she led efforts in curriculum alignment, data-driven instructional planning, and strengthening school-community partnerships. Her leadership is marked by a passion for developing educators and creating environments that foster the success of all students to thrive.
Now returning to New Bern High School, Jessica is excited to once again be part of a school community she knows and values. She looks forward to building strong relationships with staff and students, supporting instructional excellence, and contributing to a positive, collaborative school culture.
Please join us in congratulating each of these leaders and in welcoming them to their new school.