Meet the three new principals at Pender County schools
Cheryl M. Whitaker
BURGAW – Pender County Schools recently announced three new principal leadership roles within the district for the 2021-22 school year.
Sonya Oates has been hired as principal at Cape Fear Elementary. Bobby Simmons returns to Pender County as principal at Cape Fear Middle. Aja Winstead, who has served as student support coordinator for the district since April 2016, has been named principal of the newly established Pender Innovative Learning Academy. The academy will have physical space at Cape Fear Elementary/Middle, but virtual learning options for middle and high school students throughout the county will be available.
More:How many people live in Pender County after the 2020 Census count?
More:Forever young in Pender: Residents under 40 share love for their home county
More:Meet Topsail High School's new principal
Oates comes to Cape Fear Elementary after serving as an assistant principal in Brunswick County since 2018. Prior to that, she served as an assistant principal and teacher in New Hanover County Schools. Oates earned her undergraduate degree in 2001 from N.C. Central and went on to get her doctorate in 2021 from High Point University in Educational Leadership. She replaces David Kirkland.
“Advocating for students and teachers is my passion, and I’m ecstatic to have the opportunity to do that here at Cape Fear Elementary,” Oates said. “Getting to meet the teachers and staff over the last few weeks has been amazing and I’m looking forward to seeing our students on campus on August 23.”
Simmons returns to Pender County after almost five years as an assistant principal at South Brunswick High School. Prior to that, he served as principal at West Pender Middle. A St. Andrews University undergrad, Simmons earned his masters from East Carolina in May 1997. During his career, he has served as a principal, assistant principal, teacher and coach at a variety of levels. He takes over for Tiffany George.
“As a Rocky Point resident, I’m absolutely thrilled to be working in the community I call home,” Simmons said. “Cape Fear Middle has a long tradition of preparing students for high school and the world beyond, and I’m looking forward to continuing that and helping it grow even more.”
Winstead has been with Pender County Schools since 2013, starting as an English teacher at Topsail High. An undergrad of Campbell University and UNCW, Winstead earned her masters from UNCW in 2013 and is currently working on her doctorate. She has been actively involved in helping Pender County Schools with alternative learning pathways for the last several years.
“We’ve already had several elements of Pender Innovative Learning Academy in place over the past several years, but unifying virtual options into one school will certainly help streamline things,” Winstead said. “I’m so excited that the district selected me to lead this new endeavor and I look forward to helping Pender Innovative Learning Academy grow and service the students and families here in Pender County who are seeking an alternative way of learning.”