Applicants to NCLA complete a rigorous selection process, including a day-long experiential assessment day to identify individuals who are passionate, energetic, and effective educators committed to improving the performance of all students.
The selected Fellows receive substantial benefits including a full scholarship, paid internships, conference travel, textbooks, and technology materials. They earn a North Carolina school principal license and a Master of School Administration degree from North Carolina State University. Graduates make a three-year post degree commitment to lead high-need schools in northeast North Carolina.
“Each component of NCLA is anchored in research-based best practices in leadership preparation and is designed to meet the specific leadership needs of participating school districts,” said Dr. Bonnie Fusarelli, founder of Northeast Leadership Academy and subsequent leadership academies.
ECPS North Carolina Leadership Academy Fellows:
Shavon Brown earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education from East Carolina University. She earned National Board Certification in 2010. She was recognized as her school’s Teacher of the Year for the 2016-2017 school year. She has served as a member of the Digital Conversion Team, providing technology training to other teachers. She has also served as the English department chair and the secretary of the School Improvement Team. She has been actively involved in extra-curricular activities including yearbook, National Honor Society, and prom committee. Brown currently teaches English at Tarboro High School.
Byron Bullock, a North Carolina Teaching Fellow, earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education at East Carolina University. He currently teaches English at Edgecombe Early College High School. Bullock is also a co-leader of the school’s PBIS committee and a member of the School Improvement Team.
Jamilah Collins earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Bethune-Cookman University. She was a 2014 Teach for America Corps Member in Eastern North Carolina. She currently teaches American History at North Edgecombe High School. She served as the social studies department chair and currently serves on the School Improvement, Innovation Scheduling, and Opportunity Culture teams. Additionally, Collins has served as a Servant Leader Intern for the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School program at the Peacemakers of Rocky Mount site in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Cassandra Haddock earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at East Carolina University. She is also licensed as a Reading Specialist for grades K-12. She was recognized as her school’s Teacher of the Year in 2015. She serves as SIT team chair, grade chair, STEM chair, PBIS team member, and Beginning Teacher mentor. She is currently working towards becoming a Global Educator through VIF training. Haddock currently teaches 5th grade Science.
Jessica Parker earned an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has taught in both elementary and middle school settings in the Edgecombe and Nash counties. After years of bringing excitement into the classroom by incorporating technology and cultivating a love for learning, she was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2016 for her school. She is an active member of the School Improvement Team, the AMPLIFY ECPS Technology Innovation Team, and the Opportunity Culture School Design Team for her district. Parker is currently serving as an Instructional Coach at Coker-Wimberly Elementary School.
Rebecca Sugg earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from North Carolina State University and a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education from East Carolina University. She began her career as a 7th grade math teacher at West Edgecombe Middle School. Sugg has worked as a counselor in Edgecombe County for the past 7 years and is currently counseling students at SouthWest Edgecombe High School. Sugg serves as the lead high school counselor for Edgecombe County.