FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chatham County Schools Announces New Administrative Staff
CHATHAM COUNTY (July 11, 2024) – The Chatham County Board of Education approved five new district administrators at the July 8, 2024 board meeting.
Ms. Jennifer Beck was named Principal of Virginia Cross Elementary School. Beck currently serves as the Principal of LJ Bell Elementary School in Richmond County. She has previously served as administrator and educator for Montgomery and Moore County Schools for the past 15 years. Beck is currently in the process of getting her Doctorate in Education from UNC-Wilmington, and received her M.A. of Elementary Education and M.S.A. of School Administration from UNC-Pembroke.
"I am deeply honored to uphold the exceptional standards and rich traditions of the Virginia Cross School Community,” Beck said. “I am excited to partner with our dedicated staff, supportive families, and outstanding students to promote ongoing growth and achieve continued success."
Ms. Stacy Long was named Assistant Principal of Chatham Middle School. Long previously served as an educator and literacy coach at Orange Middle School in Orange County. Long’s teaching experience spans over 20 years, serving as Curriculum Facilitator for Thomasville High School, and as an educator for Randolph and Montgomery County Schools. Long received her M.A. in Reading and Certification/Add-on license for Administration from Appalachian State.
"Chatham County is a diverse and beautiful place,” Long said. “I am looking forward to building relationships with the students, staff, and community as we make our years together as successful as possible."
Mr. Eric Cooper was named Assistant Principal of Jordan-Matthews High School. Cooper currently serves as Administrative Intern for Green Level High School in Wake County. Cooper previously served as Intervention Teacher at Green Level High and as an educator in Durham Public Schools. Cooper received his M.S.A. of School Administration and Licensure in Secondary Education from North Carolina Central University.
"I have dedicated the past 16 years to a career in education and am eager to leverage my experience and commitment to student achievement at Jordan-Matthews and for Chatham County Schools,” Cooper said. “My steadfast devotion to fostering the academic, social, and emotional development of every student is aligned with the core values and mission of Jordan-Matthews. As Chatham County and its schools undergo further expansion, I am enthusiastic about immersing myself in the community and contributing to its advancement.”
Mr. Marques Harrington was named Assistant Principal of Siler City Elementary. Harrington just concluded his Principal internship at J.W. Parker Middle School in Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools. Harrington previously served as a Graduation Coach in Beaufort County and as an educator and coach for Pitt County Schools. Harrington received his M.S.A. of School Administration from North Carolina Central University.
“I am ecstatic about the opportunity to work with Principal Estes in serving the Bulldog family at Siler City Elementary,” Harrington said. “I eagerly await the opportunities to learn and grow as an instructional leader within Chatham County Schools to best support our students, staff, and community.”
Dr. Jaimi West was named Assistant Principal of Seaforth High School. West currently serves as Assistant Principal of McDougle Middle School in Chapel Hill where she was named the 2023 Assistant Principal of the Year for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. West previously served as an educator for 12 years for Glenwood Elementary in Chapel Hill. West received her Doctorate in Education Leadership and her M.S.A. of School Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.
“I am thrilled to join the Seaforth team and be a part of a high quality educational organization here at Chatham County Schools,” West said. “I am excited to meet and build relationships with the staff, students and families that we serve.”
“Chatham County Schools continues to attract high quality educational leaders. We were gratified by the immensely talented pool of candidates seeking leadership opportunities within the district this year,” said Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson. “Finding the right fits for each our vacancies is critical to ensuring the support of our staff and the success of our students.
We are excited to see what each of our new administrators will bring to their respective school communities and to helping us realize our brand promise of One Chatham for ALL children.”
For more information about Chatham County Schools, please contact our Public Relations team at 919-542-3626.
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