North Lenoir Principal Brent Williams is first to earn county's top honor twice

LA GRANGE — For the second time during his 18-year career, North Lenoir High School’s Brent Williams was named Lenoir County Schools Principal of The Year for 2009-2010.

Williams said he received the news last week when a prize patrol team from the school district stopped by his school. This is Williams’ second year serving as North Lenoir’s principal.

“Becoming principal for me was a dream come true,” Williams said. “It’s what I have always wanted to do.”

Williams was also named Lenoir County Schools Principal of The Year in 2004-2005, when he was principal at Contentnea Elementary School. According to Lenoir County Schools spokeswoman Lidia Guzman, Williams is the first principal in the district’s history to earn the honor twice.

This year’s recognition means just as much as it did for him in 2005, Williams said.

“Every year is different,” Williams said. “It’s an honor to represent the talented and dedicated school leaders in Lenoir County.”

Williams will submit his portfolio by Nov. 27 to compete in the Southeast Region Principal of The Year contest. The district and regional contests are conducted in the same manner.

Portfolios at both levels are evaluated by a selection committee. Williams said he likes his chances in the Southeast Region contest since he was also a Southeast Region finalist in 2005.

After former principal Ian Solomon stepped down in 2008, Williams was named North Lenoir’s new principal. Williams said he is proud of the accomplishments his students and staff have achieved in less than two years.

North Lenoir students met expected academic growth standards in 2009 for the first time in nine years, student discipline problems are on the decline and traffic flow issues at the school are better under control, Williams said.

“The school is safer and has a better environment for learning,” he said.

Williams is a Mount Olive native, but his family roots are in southern Lenoir County. For the past 16 years, Williams has worked for Lenoir County Schools.

He taught in Wayne and Pitt county schools before coming to Lenoir County. Williams was an English teacher at North Lenoir for seven years before serving as principal at Contentnea and later at Frink Middle School.

Williams has also served as an assistant principal at Rochelle Middle School and Pink Hill Elementary School. Additionally, he served as the school district’s director of testing and accountability.

In 1991, Williams graduated from Mount Olive College, where he studied English. He also attended Barton College, East Carolina University, Campbell University and the University of North Carolina.

Williams plans to graduate next semester from ECU, completing his doctorate in educational leadership.

Lenoir County Schools Superintendent Terry Cline congratulated Williams this week during a school board meeting on being named the 2010 Principal of The Year.

Chris Lavender can be reached at 252-559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.

Lenoir County Schools Principal of The Year 2009 – 2010

— North Lenoir High School Principal Brent Williams

— Has worked 16 years for Lenoir County Schools

— Former principal at Contentnea Elementary and Frink Middle schools

— Former assistant principal at Pink Hill Elementary and Rochelle Middle schools

— Also served as director of testing and accountability in school district

Lenoir County Schools Principal of The Year winners

2005 – Brent Williams, Contentnea Elementary

2006 – Diane Heath, Woodington Middle

2007 – Craig Hill, Kinston High

2008 – Donna Grady, Moss Hill Elementary

2009 – Wynn Whittington, Kinston High

2010 – Brent Williams, North Lenoir High