Schools name two new administrators
by Staff Reports
Watauga County Schools announced Tuesday the selection of two new directors for human resources and exceptional children's services.
Stephen Martin, the human resources director, and Michael Marcela, the exceptional children's services director, both are new to Watauga County Schools and both completed graduate degrees at Appalachian State University.
"We welcome the addition of these very skilled and highly capable members of our leadership team," Superintendent David Kafitz said. "Their experience, their education, their professionalism and their commitment to excellence will strengthen the capacity of the central office to perform its role in supporting the success of our teachers and students."
Marcela comes to the district from his current position as accountability specialist for the exceptional children's program in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, a role he has filled since January 2004. His previous experience includes seven years as director of the exceptional children's program of the Wilkes County Schools and 11 years as a teacher of exceptional children in North Carolina and Virginia.
Marcela has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Appalachian State University and UNC-Charlotte. Marcela's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in education from Wake Forest University, a master's degree in special education from Appalachian State University and a doctoral degree in administration and supervision of special education from Virginia Tech.
Marcela is succeeding Amy Moore, who has been the acting director of exceptional children's program since the previous director left to accept a position in her home county.
Martin has been director of elementary education for Caldwell County Schools for the last four years. His prior experience includes six years as a math teacher, three years as an assistant principal and seven years as a principal in Caldwell County Schools.
Martin earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics education from Wake Forest University and completed both a master's degree in school administration and a doctoral degree in educational leadership at Appalachian State University.
Martin succeeds Stephanie Weeks as human resources director. Weeks chose to return to her position as assistant principal at Parkway School after having served as human resources director since March of this year.
Stephen Martin, the human resources director, and Michael Marcela, the exceptional children's services director, both are new to Watauga County Schools and both completed graduate degrees at Appalachian State University.
"We welcome the addition of these very skilled and highly capable members of our leadership team," Superintendent David Kafitz said. "Their experience, their education, their professionalism and their commitment to excellence will strengthen the capacity of the central office to perform its role in supporting the success of our teachers and students."
Marcela comes to the district from his current position as accountability specialist for the exceptional children's program in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, a role he has filled since January 2004. His previous experience includes seven years as director of the exceptional children's program of the Wilkes County Schools and 11 years as a teacher of exceptional children in North Carolina and Virginia.
Marcela has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Appalachian State University and UNC-Charlotte. Marcela's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in education from Wake Forest University, a master's degree in special education from Appalachian State University and a doctoral degree in administration and supervision of special education from Virginia Tech.
Marcela is succeeding Amy Moore, who has been the acting director of exceptional children's program since the previous director left to accept a position in her home county.
Martin has been director of elementary education for Caldwell County Schools for the last four years. His prior experience includes six years as a math teacher, three years as an assistant principal and seven years as a principal in Caldwell County Schools.
Martin earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics education from Wake Forest University and completed both a master's degree in school administration and a doctoral degree in educational leadership at Appalachian State University.
Martin succeeds Stephanie Weeks as human resources director. Weeks chose to return to her position as assistant principal at Parkway School after having served as human resources director since March of this year.