Pender County Schools is happy to announce that Dr. Ashley Goodlett has been named principal of West Pender Middle School, where she will replace Paige Garza in the role.
For Dr. Goodlett, the opportunity to serve as principal in Pender County is deeply personal. Her parents were born and raised in Pender County and are both proud graduates of Pender High School, giving her strong family roots in the community she now has the privilege to lead.
“I am excited to be serving the West Pender Middle School community as Principal,” Dr. Goodlett said. “One of my guiding beliefs is: ‘The strength of a community is built on strong relationships, and through collaboration, we achieve success.’”
Dr. Goodlett brings more than 18 years of experience in education to West Pender Middle School. She began her educational journey with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Her career started in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools as a lateral entry teacher, where she earned her certification as a middle and high school science teacher.
She continued her education with a Master of Teaching from Winston-Salem State University, followed by a Post-Master’s Certificate, an Educational Specialist degree, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, all from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Goodlett has served as both a Curriculum Coordinator and Assistant Principal in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. She moved back to the area in 2018 and has spent the past 10 years serving as an Assistant Principal, focusing on building strong relationships with students, staff, families, and the community to create school environments where everyone can thrive.
As a Pender County product with deep family ties to the district, Dr. Goodlett understands the pride, values, and potential of the community she now serves. Her appointment represents a meaningful full-circle moment, bringing her leadership experience, educational expertise, and hometown connection to West Pender Middle School.
“I look forward to working closely with our staff, students, and families to ensure West Pender Middle School continues to be a place where collaboration, trust, and student success are at the heart of everything we do,” Dr. Goodlett said.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Dr. Goodlett is a wife to a high school educator and a proud mother of two daughters. When she is not at school, she enjoys spending quality time with family, gardening, and enjoying the beauty of Pender County.
Pender County Schools welcomes Dr. Goodlett to her new role and looks forward to her leadership at West Pender Middle School.
