WINDSOR – Martha Ann Davis has been named as the new principal at Bertie High School/STEM Academy. Davis comes to Bertie County Schools from Halifax County Schools where she served as an administrator for Southeast Collegiate Prep Academy since 2013.

A 1995 graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, Davis proceeded to earn a Master’s degree in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004. While at UNC, her focus was Educational Leadership.

Davis has a certification/license in Academically Gifted K-12 Education which she earned from High Point University in 2012.

“Davis is an accomplished professional with a record of improving educational and operational performance through vision, leadership and team building through three turnaround school models,” said Bertie County Schools Superintendent Dr. Catherine Edmonds. “She has experience in rural school districts, including 15 years of experience as a school administrator, and eight years of experience as a classroom teacher.”

For five consecutive years, under Davis’ leadership, Southeast Collegiate Prep Academy effectively maintained the ‘Exceeded Growth’ status for all of Halifax County Schools.

“Davis impressed upon the hiring committee a capability of forging strong relationships with parents, students and faculty members,” added Edmonds. “Her strategies include goal setting and a proven ability to affect change and drive continuous improvement through the sustainability of those relationships.”

“We feel that Ms. Davis has the qualities that are necessary to move Bertie High School/STEM Academy forward,” said Karen Dameron, Interim Executive Director of Operations and Human Resources.

“She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table when it comes to strategic instructional and goal-driven leadership that we believe will maximize student and district gains,” Dameron said.

Daphne Williams, former principal of the old Bertie STEM High School, served as Assistant Principal for the STEM Academy during the 2017-18 school year after it was absorbed into Bertie High School. Williams will serve as Assistant Principal at Bertie Middle School for the upcoming academic year.

Antonio (Tony) Hoggard, who served as Assistant Principal at Bertie High School, will remain in that capacity for the 2018-19 school year.