This summer, a number of administrative changes have been approved by the Wayne County Board of Education, which take effect this month in conjunction with the start of the 2025-2026 school year:
Frink Middle School Assistant Principal (Lenoir County, N.C.), Sheila West, was named principal of Carver Elementary. She is replacing Karla Smith who left to take a position with a school district in a neighboring county. Ms. West has 26 years of teaching and school administrative experience, and has served in her current role since 2018. Ms. West holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in school administration. She also holds a national board certification.
“Ms. West brings with her teaching and administrative experience that will benefit students, staff and families,” states Dr. Marc Whichard, Superintendent. “Our district administration will support Ms. West in her efforts to help Carver Elementary continue to build upon its continued academic success in the coming year."
The Board also approved the following departmental changes:
Curriculum & Instruction
Director of Secondary Education, Program Development, and Athletics, Kevin Smith, has been given the added duty of Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program Director. He is replacing Stephen Kelley, who retired at the close of the school year. Mr. Smith has 31 years of teaching, school-administrative, and district administrative experience, and has served in his current role since 2022. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history, a master’s degree in school administration, and an Education Specialist degree. While a school administrator, Mr. Smith was named WCPS Principal of the Year for the 2016-2017 school year.
"Mr. Smith is a strong district administrator who has the demonstrated ability of turning vision into action and program success," states Dr. Whichard. "We recognize the value of CTE in helping bridge the gap between school and the workforce. Mr. Smith’s strong understanding of secondary education and CTE will allow for a smooth transition as he works to help schools offer robust CTE course offerings that provide students with foundational skills needed in today’s workplace as well as the jobs yet to be created.”
As part of his new role as Director of Secondary Education, CTE, & Athletics, Mr. Smith will work to help WCPS become a regional leader in CTE. His efforts will include, but not be limited to:
Maximizing opportunities for students to earn relevant, industry recognized credentials that lead to meaningful post secondary employment opportunities;
Expanding work-based learning opportunities for students to connect classroom instruction and workplace experience through job shadowing, internships, and pre-apprenticeships;
Strengthen and expand partnerships with post-secondary institutions and local businesses;
Promoting pedagogy that ensures career readiness through hands-on learning, projects, labs, simulations, and “live projects”; and
Supporting JROTC units with the addition of credentialing opportunities for cadets.
“My goal is to ensure that every WCPS graduate leaves us either employed in a life-sustaining career, enlisted in military service, or enrolled in a post-secondary institution,” adds Mr. Smith. “Career and Technical Education plays a huge part in achieving this lofty goal. I look forward to working with all of our secondary principals and their staff in this new and expanded role.”
Community Engagement and Student & Family Support
Family Engagement & Communications Coordinator, Andrea Freile, will now serve as the district’s Strategic Communications & Engagement Coordinator. Ms. Freile has more than 20 years of communications, marketing, engagement, and private consulting experience. She has served in her current position since 2022. In addition to serving, or having served, on a number of local nonprofit Boards, Ms. Freile is currently a community advisor for the North Carolina Governor’s Advisory Council for Latino Affairs. She is also a recent graduate of Leadership North Carolina. It is worth noting that Ms. Freile has earned a number of awards and recognitions throughout her career, including but not limited to the Leadership North Carolina (LNC) Class 32 Stanley Frank Class Award, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Women Inspiring Success & Empowerment (W.I.S.E.) Power Award, North Carolina Schools Public Relations Association (NCSPRA)
Blue Ribbon Gold Awards for Effective Communications & Public Relations, and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Commander’s Award. Ms. Freile holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies & English and a master’s degree in strategic communications.
“Ms. Freile has a broad range of communications and engagement experience that has directly supported our schools, and which has helped her attain recognition and credibility at both the local and state levels,” states Dr. Whichard. “To help maximize her new position and role, Ms. Freile will utilize a variety of strategies, analytics, and digital tools to strategically support the school district in its communications, marketing, and engagement efforts.”
Ms. Freile’s efforts will include, but not be limited to:
Leading the district’s communications, marketing and engagement strategies, helping maximize the use of the district’s website, social media accounts, and digital tools;
Showcasing student, staff, school, and program successes and offerings (e.g. CTE, Arts, STEM, etc.) through digital content and storytelling;
Supporting the district employee recruitment/retainment efforts through marketing strategies, welcome materials, and employee recognition programs or initiatives.
Coordinating the district volunteer program and Partners In Education program to foster and/or strengthen parent and community partnerships with schools; and
Serving as a back-up spokesperson for news media.
In preparation for the upcoming school year, the Board has also approved the following assistant principal changes: Laura Peedin (Eastern Wayne High), Ricardo Arias-Ruiz (Norwayne Middle), and Julie Hamm (Spring Creek High).