principal

Remarks made--in part-- to White Oak Faculty and Staff at a special meeting to announce Mrs. Fowler’s promotion to a Central Services position with Carteret County Schools. (April 4^th, 2008)

“On Tuesday evening of this week, Supt. Brad Sneeden met with the Carteret County Board of Education in closed session where they accepted his recommendation that I be named the new Director of Leadership Development for Carteret County Schools.

“Mr. Sneeden is restructuring Carteret County Schools Central Services and has asked that I come on board and be part of the team.

"After much reflection –and prayer—I have accepted his offer. This is an opportunity for me to continue my professional growth while making a broader contribution to Carteret County Schools.

"My responsibilities will vary but, as the title implies, will center on working with principals and assistant principals in the area of school leadership, curriculum development and implementation, assessment, and student growth. I will also take over supervision and leadership of the AIG program.

"It has been my goal to one day blend my two masters degrees (public administration and school administration) in a position within a school system. Now I have the opportunity to do that as we begin a conversation at the system level about what leadership looks like in today’s schools.

"Please know that I am able to pursue this professional and personal goal because of you and your colleagues. The wonderful professional community we have developed together at White Oak has allowed me to promote my vision. I attempted to lead and you followed. However, I would like to think that most of that time we walked side-by-side as we found ways to help our students be successful. I thank you for making me look good.

"I have always said that timing is everything and I realize you may be thinking this is not the best timing for White Oak. It is however, the best time for me personally and professionally and it is the right time for this to happen within Carteret County Schools.

"White Oak is in great shape. We may be turned upside down with our physical structure, but we are strong in our work ethic and commitment to making sure children are learning and are ready to move forward. Between now and June 13, we will put things in place for next year. Decisions that you make will set the new year in motion and allow a new principal to come in and see how things are done within the White Oak Family.

"Therefore, our journey continues with opportunities for success and stops along the way for celebrations. I celebrate you today and what you have meant to me over the years --as a person and as a professional. I thank you sincerely. White Oak has been a very large portion of my life and will be genuinely missed.

"God bless you… for He has truly blessed me. With great admiration and respect I remain,

Sincerely Yours,

Wanda Nelson Fowler

Mrs. Fowler studied at Western Carolina and Wake Forest universities where she earned a bachelors degree in education (concentration in English) with North Carolina licensure in secondary education and gifted studies. She also holds masters degrees in public affairs and school administration with North Carolina licensure in school administration.

Her experiences in the education field are extensive including working for Western North Carolina Tomorrow, an education non-profit; as a part-time instructor for Western Carolina University; as a program associate for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching; as a classroom teacher; as an assistant principal; and as a school principal and administrator.

Mrs. Fowler was selected as Carteret County Principal of the Year for 2005 and the Carteret County Distinguished Professional Woman of the Year in 2004. She is also a recipient of the Western Carolina University Alumni Association's Professional Achievement Award.

The Fowlers are active in their community. She and her husband Dave are residents of Cape Carteret where he is a town commissioner and a member of Sound Bank Advisory Board. They are involved with the local Community Watch and attend Cape Carteret Baptist Church.

A Vision For White Oak Elementary

In my mind's eye, I see a school where every child experiences success every day -- a learning community where children are excited to be present and disappointed because the afternoon bell rings.

In this vision, I see groups of children engaged and working together, self-directed, taking responsibility for their own learning. I hear enthusiastic giggles sparked by revelations of understanding. I see hallways busy with traffic, but quiet with respect for the learning that's taking place on the other side of the walls and doors.

I envision classrooms --any given classroom on any given day-- filled with color, exuding a sense of care and regard for children mixed with a passion for learning. I see flow maps and artwork and student writing… word walls, field trip photos and projects on simple machines and dinosaurs and native life.

I see a media center filled with readers, researchers, and storytellers; a computer lab filled with future technicians, graphic artists and mathematicians.

I see teachers and assistants planning, sharing, and celebrating with each other. They are happy and content with their calling and their contribution to that charge. They are, however, unhappy and dissatisfied with mediocrity and they never accept anything less than the best.

I see ceiling rafters framing academic award banners and walkways framed by flowering crepe myrtles. Symbols of excellence in the classroom and in nature.

I see a school where adults appreciate and value each other for who they are more so than for what they do, but it’s also a place where what they do is valued and acknowledged by all. I see parents and visitors being welcomed and feeling welcome.

Lastly, I see relationships among faculty, staff and students manifested in respect and trust and caring. A celebration of life and learning.

- WNF

Page last updated on January 11, 2008