Garner Educational Foundation

Congrats to our Garner area Principals and Ast. Principals!

Congratulations to our 2026-27 Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year semi-finalists! Shout out your school leader in the comments!

Stay tuned for the announcement of our finalists coming soon ... 🎉🏆

https://bit.ly/4hyM92e

Elementary Principal of the Year semi-finalists –
Western Area: Dr. Roxann Sykes, Dillard Drive Magnet Elementary
Southeastern Area: Dr. Ralph Chew, Creech Road Elementary
Central Area: Kristen McCollum, Olds Elementary
Northern Area: Leslie D. Blake, Green Magnet Elementary
Southern Area: Dr. Sarah Simmons, Banks Road Elementary
Southwestern Area: Kathryn (Katie) Caggia, Pleasant Plains Elementary
Eastern Area: Monica Noa, Knightdale Elementary
Northeastern Area: Chell Smith, Wake Forest Magnet Elementary
Northwestern Area: Ari Cohen, Leesville Road Elementary

Secondary Principal of the Year semi-finalists –
Western Area: Michael Hokenberg, Davis Drive Middle
Southeastern Area: Keith C. Faison, South Garner High
Central Area: George “Eddie” Harden, Jr., Southeast Raleigh Magnet High
Northern Area: Kelly Aman, West Millbrook Magnet Middle
Southern Area: Mike James, Fuquay-Varina High
Southwestern Area: Brian Pittman, Apex Friendship High
Eastern Area: Bonnie Mwanda, Neuse River Middle
Northeastern Area: Melissa Thomas, Wake Forest High
Northwestern Area: Dr. Justin Carrington, Pine Hollow Middle

Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year semi-finalists –
Western Area: Kate Fedich, Northwoods Elementary
Southeastern Area: Odessa Anderson, East Garner Elementary
Central Area: Alex Storey, A.B. Combs Magnet Elementary
Northern Area: Genevieve Meyer, Baileywick Elementary
Southern Area: Cindy Clavijo, Buckhorn Creek Elementary
Southwestern Area: Angie Griffin, Scotts Ridge Elementary
Eastern Area: Katrina Phifer, Knightdale Elementary
Northeastern Area: Brandon Thomas, Wake Forest Magnet Elementary
Northwestern Area: Jessica Bailey, Leesville Road Elementary

Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year semi-finalists –
Western Area: Dr. Michael Clinkscales, Athens Drive Magnet High
Southeastern Area: Xavier Wallace-McGrew, South Garner High
Central Area: Jade Deberry, Enloe Magnet High
Northern Area: Melanie Sanchez, Durant Road Middle
Southern Area: Laura Megronigle, Middle Creek High
Southwestern Area: Betty (Kristin) Bollten, Felton Grove High
Eastern Area: Neil Light, Zebulon Magnet Middle
Northeastern Area: Erica Davis, Heritage High
Northwestern Area: Heather Covington, Alston Ridge Middle

Congratulations to Maddox Krotzer from South Garner High School - he's the #1 High Jumper in the nation!

STATE CHAMPION ALERT🏆🔥

Congratulations to Maddox Krotzer on becoming the NCHSAA State Champion in High Jump clearing an incredible 7’0”!!

What an amazing accomplishment and a historic performance!

Thank you to the organizers, speakers, graduates, and guests who made the Baccalaureate ceremony so memorable. Good luck to our 2026 graduates!💙💛

Thank you for making this night so special! Congratulations to all of our students and teachers!

Updated! This schedule includes Rand Road Elementary!

Thank you to Garner Mid-Day Rotary and the Rotary Foundation for the generous $4,000 grant. Our GEF members Debra Bunn and Kimberly Davis are pictured here receiving the check from Joe Binns, President of Garner Mid-Day Rotary.

Yates Mill & Aversboro Elementary Schools have been added to the scheduled Clap Outs! 🎓

🎓👏🏻CLAP OUT INFO👏🏻🎓

On behalf of the Garner Educational Foundation and Garner area elementary schools, please see the flyer and SignUpGenius for dates and times for the class of 2026 Clap Out!

* if your school isn’t listed, their POC has not given a date/time (yet). I will update as I get info.

Creech Road Elementary School is dedicated to creating a relevant, engaging learning environment where students thrive. With a strong focus on collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking, they are preparing students not just for the next grade—but for future success.

We’re proud to highlight this Garner school that is truly making a difference every day!