More than a dozen local, district and regional educational leaders attended a Superintendents’ Appreciation Breakfast hosted by the UNC Pembroke School of Education on Wednesday.

Dr. Loury Floyd, dean of the School of Education, was among the university leaders who shared updates to particular initiatives, including the Teacher Assistant to Teacher Pathway and offered a discussion on other topics such as recruitment and retention. The group was also given departmental updates and overviews of strategic priorities for the School of Education.

District representatives also provided information about their current needs and concerns regarding professional development, residency licensure and the teacher pipeline.

Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings and Interim Provost Zoe Locklear attended and offered greetings.  

“There is a real sense of urgency surrounding the shortage of teachers and K-12 learning loss,” Floyd said. “As we slowly recover from a year ravaged with COVID and controversy surrounding social justice and equity it is even more important that these conversations take place.” 

In attendance were:

• Dr. Jason Atkinson, superintendent, Bladen County Schools;
• Billy Hagans, principal, CIS Academy;
• Deanne Meadows, superintendent, Columbus County Schools;
• Dr. Marvin Connelly, superintendent, Cumberland County Schools;
• Dr. Debra Dowless, superintendent, Hoke County Schools;
• Tracy Grit, associate superintendent, Montgomery County Schools;
• Dr. Joshua Locklear, principal, Old Main STREAM Academy
• Dr. Tesha Isler, administrator, Richmond County Schools;
• Jamie Lowry administrator, Public Schools of Robeson County;
• Dr. Takeda LeGrand, superintendent, Scotland County Schools; and
• Dr. Marc Whichard, superintendent, Whiteville City Schools.