Pender County Schools -

🌟 Meet Michelle McCoy, Public Safety Teacher at Pender High School! 🌟 Michelle McCoy is in her second year of teaching at Pender High School, where she teaches Public Safety to students in grades 9-12. Before becoming a teacher, she spent 10 years in law enforcement and served as a CIS (Communities in Schools) student support specialist. When Public Safety became a subject, Michelle knew this was her calling, feeling that God was guiding her path to education. 🙏 She is excited to teach something she is so passionate about and knowledgeable in! 🚓✨ One of Michelle’s proudest moments as a teacher came after working through a challenging first year to get her licensure cleared—an experience she describes as a “hot mess!” 😅 However, her persistence paid off, and she is thrilled to be well on her way to achieving even greater things in her teaching journey. 🌈 Outside the classroom, Michelle is just as dedicated, serving as the coach for the varsity girls' basketball team. 🏀 She affectionately refers to her players as her "babies," second only to her 6-year-old son. 👶 Her connection with the team is a testament to the strong relationships she builds with her students. 💖 When she’s not teaching or coaching, Michelle enjoys baking all kinds of cookies 🍪 and spending time in the mountains, where she feels a deep sense of peace and closeness to God. 🏔️ Her personal motto, “Give yourself grace, it will be okay,” reflects her approach to both teaching and life—offering herself and others the compassion needed to succeed. 💪✨ Michelle is a dedicated educator with a big heart for her students, and we are so proud to spotlight her in this week’s Teacher Tuesday! 🎉

🌟 Feature Friday: Melissa Barnhill & Bonnie Ezzell, Payroll Specialists 🌟 This Feature Friday, we're recognizing the dynamic duo of our Central Office Finance Department: Melissa Barnhill and Bonnie Ezzell. As Payroll Specialists, these two ensure that every employee across the district is paid accurately and on time. 💸 Melissa and Bonnie handle all pay increases, supplements, and adjustments for the entire district, taking the time to answer any questions about taxes, pay, leave, and more. Their approach is consistently friendly, calm, and patient, making sure everyone feels heard and supported. 📞💬 Their colleague, Sherry, Accounts Payable Specialist, nominated them, highlighting their incredible dedication: "They go above and beyond, always positive and uplifting to all of us in Finance. They’re blessings to work with, and I’m proud to call them coworkers and friends." Thank you, Melissa and Bonnie, for your tireless work and the positive influence you bring to our Central Office! 💛 #FeatureFriday #OnePender

Principal Spotlight: Mr. Brian Allen 🌟👨‍🏫 In celebration of National Principal Month, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on Mr. Brian Allen, who is now beginning his second year at his current school and has 14 years of experience in education. 📚✨ Mr. Allen graduated from UNC-Wilmington 🎓, where he and his siblings also swam for the school’s swim team—his father, Dave Allen, was the long-time coach of the swim and dive program, with the natatorium named in his honor. 🏊‍♂️🏅 Mr. Allen loves anything water-related, from swimming 🏊‍♂️ to paddleboarding 🌊. He enjoys sitting on the beach 🏖️ during his downtime and likes dining at Dockside Restaurant 🐟🍽️. His favorite book is The Confessions of an Economic Hitman 📖, and his go-to pizza topping is extra cheese 🍕🧀. Before becoming an educator, Mr. Allen worked as a New Construction Electrical Technician, and he has the hidden talent of being a fast swimmer! 🏊‍♂️💨 He enjoys listening to SOJA 🎶. One of Mr. Allen's career highlights was being named Pender County Schools Principal of the Year in 2023 🏆. He became an educator out of a passion for helping others and a collection of personal experiences that shaped his path 🌟. When asked what he enjoys most about his current school, he highlighted working alongside his Assistant Principal and Faculty/Staff 🤝. His favorite school tradition is the Pep Rallies that bring the school community together 🎉🎺. We’re thankful for leaders like Mr. Brian Allen, whose dedication helps shape a supportive and engaging school environment! 🌟👏

We are Listening and Learning at Cape Fear Elementary. What will you learn today? VIDEO - https://youtu.be/Z3axeiKvGGY?si=u401XW1rF-_02fCY

Principal Spotlight: Mr. Daniel Sidor 🌟👨‍🏫 In celebration of National Principal Month, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on Mr. Daniel Sidor, who has been a part of Pender Early College High School for 17 years. 📚✨ Mr. Sidor attended Ohio University for his college education. 🎓 Outside of school, Mr. Sidor enjoys golfing ⛳, surfing 🏄‍♂️, and cheering on Cleveland sports teams 🏈🏀. He loves Italian food, especially dining at Roko 🍝, and his go-to pizza toppings are pepperoni and banana peppers 🍕🌶️. A fan of Howard Zinn and Dr. Seuss 📖, Mr. Sidor also enjoys biking to the beach during his downtime 🚴‍♂️🌊. Before entering education, Mr. Sidor worked as a Golf Course Irrigation Tech/Greens Keeper ⛳🚜 and has the hidden skill of driving a backhoe! 🚧 He loves a wide variety of music genres, including jazz and rock 🎶. Mr. Sidor and his wife share an interesting story—they both grew up in Cleveland, a mile apart, but didn’t meet until they were in Wilmington 💑. One of Mr. Sidor's most memorable moments in his career was completing his first graduation ceremony as principal of PECHS 🎓✨. Mr. Sidor was inspired to become an educator when he tutored 4th graders as part of service learning during his sophomore year of high school 🤝📚. When asked what he most enjoys about his current school, he highlighted the amazing students and staff. His favorite school tradition is the Underclassmen Awards Day 🏆. We’re grateful for passionate leaders like Mr. Sidor who bring dedication and inspiration to our schools every day! 🌟👏

🎉 Student Spotlight - Lexi! 🎉 Let’s give some love to Lexi, a shining star in the 7th grade at Topsail Middle School! 🌟 Ms. Jennifer Medwick, her math teacher, nominated Lexi for her incredible leadership and kind heart. Lexi shows up to class each day with a smile, ready to learn, and is always willing to lend a helping hand. 💛 Lexi’s kind gestures, like helping her teacher clean up the classroom at the end of every class without being asked, truly make her a role model for her peers. We’re so proud to have students like Lexi who spread positivity and kindness! 🌼 Fun Facts About Lexi: Favorite Food: Lo mein 🍜 Favorite Color: Light gray ⚪ Hobbies: She loves baking! 🍪 Pets: A sweet dog named Remi 🐕 Interesting Fact: Lexi was adopted, and we think that makes her story even more special! 💖 Thank you, Lexi, for your leadership and bright spirit at Topsail Middle! 🎉

Students at Topsail High School are diving into Adobe Visual Design! 🎨💻 They're gaining industry-standard skills that will prepare them to be Enrolled, Enlisted, or Employed after graduation. The creativity and future opportunities are endless! #OnePender

"October is the Month of Awareness! 🌟 Each week we'll focus on important topics that impact our community: Mental Health Awareness, Special Needs Awareness, Bullying Prevention, and Red Ribbon Week (Drug Use Prevention). Stay tuned as we share valuable information and resources throughout the month! #MonthOfAwareness #OnePender"

Principal Spotlight: Ms. Kathryn Bates 🌟👩‍🏫 In celebration of National Principal Month, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on Ms. Kathryn Bates, who has been leading her school for the past 2 years and has spent 14 years in education. 📚✨ Ms. Bates attended Catawba College for her undergraduate degree and continued her graduate studies at UNC Charlotte. 🎓 Outside of school, Ms. Bates loves watching sports 🏀, spending time on the beach or on a boat 🌊🚤, listening to music 🎶, and watching romantic comedy series 🎥💕. She enjoys grilling steaks at home 🍖🔥, with pepperoni and pineapple as her go-to pizza topping 🍕🍍. A fan of Mary Kay Andrews books 📖, she also enjoys playing board games with her family during her downtime 🎲👨‍👩‍👧‍👦. A fun fact about Ms. Bates' background: before education, she worked as a bartender 🍹, where she learned to work with people from all walks of life. She also has a hidden talent—knee boarding! 🌊🤙 Ms. Bates loves all music genres 🎶 and chooses her tunes depending on her mood. With both of her parents having been educators for over 30 years 👨‍🏫👩‍🏫, it’s no surprise that Ms. Bates was inspired by her family to pursue a career in education. As the oldest of three children, she felt born to lead 🏆 and wanted to make a difference, just as she saw her parents do. 🌟 One of Ms. Bates’ most memorable moments in her career was being nominated as Carolina Panther Teacher of the Week 🏈, recognized on the 50-yard line during a game, and treated to box seat tickets and school supplies sponsored by FSI. 🎟️📦 When asked what she enjoys most about her current school, Ms. Bates said it’s the people—the staff, students, and community are all amazing! 🤗💙 Her favorite school tradition? The fun-filled "Trunk or Treat" event 🎃🚗👻. We’re so thankful for leaders like Ms. Bates, who make a positive impact every day! 🌟👏

TEACHER TUESDAY - Meet Jennifer Mintz, C.F. Pope Elementary!✨📚 Jennifer Mintz has always known she wanted to be a teacher—since she was a kid putting her cabbage patch dolls in seats and differentiating instruction before she even knew what that meant! 👶📝 She’s now in her 8th year of teaching and is opening a new door this year, teaching 5th grade math and science! 🧮🔬 Jennifer loved teaching 6th grade ELA and social studies, especially when her students got excited about ancient civilizations! 🏺📜 This year, Jennifer is taking on an exciting new challenge—she’s starting her journey to earn her National Board Certification! 🌟✨ Outside of the classroom, she loves hitting the bin stores and consignment shops for a great find 🛍️, and she enjoys spending time with her kids and grandkids! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦❤️ Jennifer is also a big fan of technology and Legos! 💻🧱 Jennifer has a rescue cat named Nya 🐾, who has grown up alongside her 6-year-old granddaughter! She’s a family member, just like the students in Jennifer’s classroom. Jennifer treats her classroom like a home, and her students take pride in taking care of it like a family. 🏠✨ When it comes to travel, Jennifer has had some amazing experiences! She visited Disney World for the first time at 31 and France when she was 16! 🌍✨ She hopes to travel more and continue to make incredible memories. 🚀🌟

🎉 October is National Principals Month! 🎉 Join us in celebrating the amazing principals across Pender County Schools who work tirelessly to lead, inspire, and support our students and staff every day. Their dedication helps make #OnePender a great place to learn and grow. Let's show our appreciation! Share your thanks or a story about your principal in the comments below. 👏💙💛 #NationalPrincipalsMonth

Due to overwhelming support, Pender EMS is closing donations at 1pm today. Pender EMS may open for more donations at a later point depending on the needs from that area. Please do not continue to drop items off at Pender County Schools locations until further notice. THANK YOU!! #OnePender

🚧 Shape the Future of Pender County! 🌍 Pender County is developing the Imagine Pender 2050 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and is asking for your input! This long-range plan will guide our community’s growth and reflect our shared values and goals. 📌 The final two Community Meetings are THIS WEEK!!! Learn about the current plan, Pender 2.0, here: https://bit.ly/3XxYCsp 🌟 Get Involved! Your voice helps shape our future. #OnePender

Weekly Newsletter - https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/O6lK4fX2pFcG0 Have a great weekend!!

Pender County Schools is closely monitoring the weather conditions related to Hurricane Helene. A decision regarding Friday’s schedule will be made by noon on Thursday. We will provide further updates as necessary. Please stay tuned for any announcements. Las Escuelas del Condado de Pender están monitoreando de cerca las condiciones climáticas relacionadas con el huracán Helene. La decisión sobre el horario del viernes se tomará el jueves al mediodía. Proporcionaremos más actualizaciones según sea necesario. Estén atentos a cualquier anuncio.

**Meet Ms. Katherine Billig, 2nd Grade Teacher at CF Pope Elementary School!** 🌟 Inspired by her own kind and supportive teachers, Ms. Billig decided to become a teacher to make the same lasting impact on her students. Now in her seventh year, she’s passionate about helping her students grow and making learning fun. Her favorite subject to teach is Social Studies, as it allows her to share her love for history and culture. Whether it's teaching about influential figures or connecting lessons to her students’ lives, Ms. Billig thrives on making history come alive in her classroom. 📖✨ One of her proudest moments was helping non-English-speaking students learn English, watching them grow and have their lightbulb moments. She’s also excited to be the second-grade chair and a mentor to new teachers! Last year’s highlight? Hatching chicken eggs in science class! Watching baby chicks hatch was a huge hit for both Ms. Billig and her students as they explored the life cycle together. 🐣 When she’s not teaching, Ms. Billig loves to travel and has visited 12 countries outside the U.S. so far! ✈️ She’s also a beach lover, enjoys spending time with family and friends, and loves trying out new restaurants and coffee shops. A talented musician, she’s played piano and violin since childhood and has even appeared as an extra in TV shows and movies filmed in North Carolina! Her dream travel destinations? Hawaii, Greece, or Australia. 🌺🌏 And her personal motto is inspired by Rita Pierson: *“Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.”*

🌟 Shoutout to Landon! 🌟 We’re proud to spotlight Landon, a student at Rocky Point Elementary who was nominated by Ms. Marcie Black for his academic excellence and kind spirit. Landon loves to participate in class, bringing depth to discussions with his thoughtful ideas. 💭 Landon sets the bar high for his classmates—he’s respectful, courteous, and gives 100% in every subject. His love for learning and dedication to his work make him a standout! 👏 A Little About Landon: Favorite Food: Fried chicken & mac and cheese 🍗🧀 Favorite Color: Green 💚 Hobbies: Football, baseball, and he’s eager to try rugby or lacrosse! 🏈⚾ Pets: Rambo, the friendliest dog ever 🐶, and Scarlett the cat 🐱 Interesting Fact: Landon’s always up for a challenge, especially when it involves learning new tricks like back flips! 🤸‍♂️ Keep up the great work, Landon! Your passion for learning inspires us all! 🌟

Students in our Pender High School carpentry and masonry courses are hard at work this morning becoming masters of craftsmanship! Our instructors are working to ensure our students are enrolled, enlisted or employed upon graduation. #PCSCTE #ONEPENDER

🌟 Feature Friday: Carrie Hankins, Student Information System Coordinator 🌟 This Feature Friday, we’re excited to recognize Carrie Hankins, our dedicated Student Information System Coordinator, who has been with Pender County Schools for an impressive 18.5 years! In her role, Carrie manages the system that houses crucial student data, including demographic information, schedules, and attendance records. 📊 She also leads a team of 20 hardworking data managers, providing the training and resources they need to ensure smooth operations across the district. Her journey with PCS began as a substitute teacher, where she fell in love with the school environment and working with students. Over the years, Carrie has held various roles, including tutor, Instructional Assistant, Bus Driver, and School Treasurer/Data Manager at WPMS and BMS. She was inspired to continue her education, eventually earning an MBA from the University of Mount Olive. Carrie's favorite part of her job is working in the same community where she lives, and she cherishes the strong relationships she’s built with local families. She also loves working alongside her data manager team, whom she considers her extended family. A graduate of Laney High School, Carrie didn’t attend PCS as a student but has proudly called Pender County home for 36 years. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her two adult children and her “super sweet” granddaughter. A shout-out to Mrs. Zimmerman, Carrie's math teacher at Laney, who was smart, kind, and offered life lessons that have left a lasting impact. ✨ Thank you, Carrie, for your hard work and dedication! 👏 #OnePender

VIDEO - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mOCoDJmd17o 🎓✨ Pender High School students took part in a meaningful conversation today with Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove as part of his Listening & Learning series. These students were given the unique opportunity to share their thoughts on the strengths and challenges within their school and the district as a whole. It was an open and honest discussion that highlighted the students’ commitment to making positive changes for their school community. 🙌 💬 The conversation was genuine and insightful, with students speaking from the heart about their experiences. Dr. Breedlove listened closely as the students shared both the good and the bad, offering constructive feedback that will help shape the future of Pender County Schools. Their willingness to be candid reflects the trust and respect between our students and district leadership, creating a platform for real change. 🌟 💡🤝 These student voices are paving the way for a better tomorrow for Pender County Schools. By participating in this important discussion, they are helping to ensure that future students have an even better experience. Their feedback will play a key role in shaping improvements that benefit not just their peers, but generations to come. We are so proud of their leadership and vision for the future! #OnePender