Assistant principal of the year for Johnston County Public Schools reflects on leadership as Clayton High is rebuilt

Miss Strickland, identified in the transcript by students as “Miss Strickland,” accepted an award as assistant principal of the year for Johnston County Public Schools and used her remarks to describe a leadership style grounded in coaching and daily relationships with students and staff. “I like to keep a coach’s mentality, helping recognize what people are already doing well and how we can use those skills and develop those skills to spring forward,” she said.

She told the audience that small daily interactions are the work of education: nonverbal or shy students beginning to communicate, students performing on stage and behavior students applying strategies to stay calm. “Through those daily conversations, I know that students get it when we’re able to stop and they say, ‘I haven’t gotten there yet, or I can’t do it yet, but I’m going to keep working on it, Miss Strickland,’” she said, citing those responses as among her best days.

The honoree framed the award as recognition not only of her work but of those who supported her. “Being named assistant principal of the year for Johnston County Public Schools is an acknowledgement of all of the great leaders that have poured into me,” she said, naming Dr. Pierce, Kathy Parish, Alan Sasser and Melissa Finch, and adding that the accolade recognizes teachers, custodians, cafeteria staff and bus drivers.

She described the practical steps she has taken after becoming a school leader, saying she is meeting one-on-one with staff members and families to learn the school’s culture and “honor the past” while planning how to reach future goals. On the subject of facilities, Miss Strickland said the current building is being taken down to make room for a new Clayton High School and characterized the change as both an ending and a beginning: “Watching this building come down isn’t just about saying a goodbye. It’s about making room for something new.”

She closed by placing the award and the work of educators in a larger frame. Representing the human resources department and the beginning educator support team, she said excellence “happens quietly, consistently, and is often unseen” and credited colleagues for making the work possible.

The event combined music and brief remarks; the transcript does not record a formal vote or other board actions associated with the award. The transcript refers to “the board and the commissioners” joining in the hopes she expressed but does not identify which board or commissioners were present.

The program ended with applause and music following Miss Strickland’s closing remarks.