Administration

Principal

Warrior Administrative Team

Welcome to Eastern Wayne High School, where our commitment is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed in a supportive and inclusive environment. We believe that education is most effective when students, families, teachers, staff, and the community work together toward a common goal of excellence.

At Eastern Wayne High School, our students are at the heart of every decision we make. We are dedicated to providing rigorous academic opportunities, meaningful extracurricular experiences, and the social-emotional support needed to help each student reach their full potential. We encourage our students to embrace challenges, demonstrate integrity, and develop the skills necessary to become confident, responsible citizens.

Our teachers and staff are the foundation of our success. We are committed to supporting them through collaboration, professional learning, and access to the resources they need to create engaging, innovative, and student-centered classrooms. By investing in our educators, we strengthen the learning experiences of every student.

Building a positive school culture is one of our highest priorities. We strive to cultivate an atmosphere where respect, responsibility, kindness, and school pride are evident in every classroom, hallway, and activity. We celebrate the accomplishments of our students and staff while fostering meaningful relationships that promote belonging and encourage every member of our school community to contribute.

Maintaining a safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environment is essential to student achievement. We are committed to providing a school where every student and staff member feels physically, emotionally, and academically secure. Through clear expectations, positive behavior supports, strong partnerships with families, and proactive safety practices, we work together to ensure that Eastern Wayne High School remains a place where everyone can learn and thrive.

Thank you for being an important part of the Eastern Wayne High School family. Together, we will continue to uphold our tradition of excellence while preparing our students to become lifelong learners, compassionate leaders, and productive members of our community.

Go Warriors!


Principal

Mr. Dane Jones, Principal

Greetings Warrior Students, Parents and Community, 

I am honored to serve as your principal for the 2026-2027 academic year. I have been employed by Wayne County Public Schools for 16 of my 21 years in education. Being the principal of Eastern Wayne High School inspires me to help more students and families excel. 

I graduated from Eastern Wayne High School  in 2001. I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in K-12 Reading from East Carolina University and my Masters Degree in School Administration from East Carolina University.

I passionately believe that students should and can succeed. Every day, I work hard to ensure that EVERY student that is in my building has all the tools needed for success and is aware of their potential in order for them to achieve their objectives and be successful in our growing world.

I have a 14 year old son, Conner. I enjoy being outside, especially on the golf course and at the beach. I am a huge Tar Heel fan and a real big sports enthusiast.

As principal, it is my goal to keep your students in a safe learning environment each day and give your kids the greatest education possible. I can not wait to meet you all and see all the wonderful things that we will accomplish here at Eastern Wayne High School this year.

Warrior Strong! One School. One Mission. One Family.

Mr. Dane Jones

Principal 


Suggs

Ms. Sherida Suggs, Assistant Principal

Ms. Suggs is proud to serve as an Assistant Principal at Eastern Wayne High School and is excited to become part of the Warrior family. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships with students, staff, and families while fostering a school culture rooted in high expectations, mutual respect, and Warrior Pride.

Ms. Suggs began her educational journey by earning an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood and a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Organizational Management with a concentration in Child Studies. She later earned a Master's Degree in Teaching from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and a second Master's Degree in Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a lifelong learner, she believes that continuous growth is essential for both educators and students.

She began her career with Wayne County Public Schools in 2014 as a first-grade teacher, where she developed a passion for helping students discover their strengths and supporting teachers in creating meaningful learning experiences. Throughout her career, she has served on initiatives, including the Rural Teacher Leader Network and the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program. These experiences have strengthened her belief that collaboration, communication, and servant leadership are key to creating opportunities for every student to succeed.

As an Assistant Principal, Ms. Suggs is committed to cultivating a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment where every Warrior is challenged to grow academically, socially, and personally. She believes high school is a pivotal time for students to discover their passions, develop confidence, and prepare for the opportunities and responsibilities that await them beyond graduation. Whether students choose college, military service, the workforce, or another path, she is dedicated to ensuring they leave Eastern Wayne High School equipped with the knowledge, character, and skills needed to thrive.

Ms. Suggs is honored to serve the Eastern Wayne High School community and looks forward to partnering with students, families, faculty, and community members to strengthen Warrior Pride, celebrate student achievement, and ensure every Warrior is prepared for success in the classroom, in the community, and in the world beyond high school.

grady

Mrs. Laura Grady, Assistant Principal

I currently serve as an Assistant Principal at Eastern Wayne High School and have dedicated 29 years to public education. Throughout my career, I have taught English at the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade levels, working with students at every stage of their high school journey. Teaching English has allowed me to help students strengthen their communication skills, think critically, and develop confidence in their abilities.

In addition to the classroom, I have also coached girls’ basketball, an experience that reinforced the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance—values I continue to emphasize in my role as an administrator. These experiences in both academics and athletics have shaped my leadership style and my commitment to supporting the whole student.

As an Assistant Principal, I am passionate about creating a positive school culture where students feel supported, teachers feel valued, and high expectations are paired with strong relationships. I am proud to serve the Eastern Wayne community and remain dedicated to helping students reach their full potential.