BEAUFORT, N.C. – Carteret County Public Schools has named Ms. Karen Wood as the new Director of Early Childhood Education and Principal of Carteret Preschool Center, effective July 28, 2026.

A veteran educator with 26 years of experience, Ms. Wood returns to Carteret County Public Schools after serving the past three years as the Northeast Region Early Literacy Consultant for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Throughout her career, she has served as a Pre-K teacher, school administrator, NC Pre-K Family Literacy Specialist, and educational leader in Cumberland County, Craven County, and Carteret County.

She began her career as a Pre-K teacher and has dedicated her professional life to supporting young learners and ensuring children have a strong educational foundation. Her extensive experience in early childhood education, literacy, school leadership, and state-level support makes her uniquely qualified to lead Carteret County's early childhood programs.

"I am honored and excited to return home to Carteret County Public Schools as the Director of Early Childhood Education after several rewarding years serving at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction," said Ms. Wood. "My experiences at the state level have deepened my understanding of the incredible impact high-quality early learning has on children's futures, and I look forward to bringing that knowledge back to the community that helped shape me. I am eager to work alongside our educators, families, and community partners as we continue to build the foundation for lifelong success, ensuring our youngest learners truly 'Start Here' through the outstanding preschool programs offered in Carteret County Public Schools. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to invest in our children from the very beginning of their educational journey."

Superintendent Richard Paylor welcomes Ms. Wood and said, "We are pleased to welcome Ms. Karen Wood back to Carteret County Public Schools," said Paylor. "She is an experienced educator and administrator with extensive knowledge of early childhood education through her leadership in our schools, her work with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and her experience as an NC Pre-K Family Literacy Specialist. Her passion for early learning and her understanding of what our youngest students need to be successful make her an excellent fit to lead Carteret Preschool Center. We look forward to the leadership and experience she will bring to our early childhood programs."

Ms. Wood holds a Master of School Administration from East Carolina University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Campbell University and was a North Carolina Principal Fellow.

Carteret Preschool Center serves the district's youngest learners by providing high-quality early childhood education programs that prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond. The center plays an important role in Carteret County Public Schools' commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to Start Here. Stay Here. Grow Here.