Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Jan/Feb 2019 | Page 9

Parkwood High Principal Carole Alley named 2018-19 Principal of the Year
When Parkwood High Principal Carole Alley heard her name
announced as the 2018-19 Principal of the Year, she said she
was “absolutely shocked.”
Speaking to her colleagues at the annual Union County
Public Schools Principal of the Year luncheon on Oct. 4, Carole
said even being nominated for Principal of the Year was an
honor.
“There are so many deserving and outstanding leaders and
principals in our district. I’m extremely humbled to receive this
award,” she said. “We all work very hard in our schools, and
this award is an acknowledgement of the work that we do.”
Carole, who joined Parkwood High as its principal in 2016,
is quick to credit the Parkwood community and school staff
with the school’s overall success in recent years. Parkwood
High met growth in 2016-17 and exceeded growth in 2017-
18, an accomplishment that Carole attributes to the teachers’
commitment to their students and overall mission of the school.
When asked what she loves most about being a principal,
Carole said it’s helping to create a positive high school
experience for all of her students.
“I love when the students stop by my office and talk to me
about how the school year is going. To see the excitement on
their faces when they make a good grade or catch a touchdown
pass is what makes it all worth it,” she said.
Union County Education Foundation presented Carole with a
$2,000 check, half of which will be donated to Parkwood High.
The other half will go towards her personal use.
During the luncheon, Weddington Middle Assistant Principal
Brian Gray was
also awarded the
Assistant Principal
of the Year award.
Brian served as a
teacher at Parkwood
Middle and an
administrator at
Parkwood middle
and high schools
before joining the
administrative staff
at Weddington
Middle in 2015.
“There are
incredible assistant
principals in the
county. To be
nominated and
selected for this
award is an honor,”
he said. “The
connections you
make with students
and the times when they contact you 10 or 15 years later just to
say thank you – it’s why I’m here and it’s why I love my job.”
Union County Education Foundation also presented Brian with
a $1,000 check, half of which will be donated to Weddington
Middle. The other half will go towards his personal use.
Parent Teacher Magazine • Nov/Dec 2018 • 7