New Principals Named for Brevard High School, Pisgah Forest Elementary, and Rosman Middle School
The Transylvania County Board of Education approved new assignments for members of our Transylvania County Schools Administrative team during the board meeting on Monday, June 6th. Starting off the new school year for 2022-2023 Amanda Lewis will steer the way for our Pisgah Forest Elementary Rangers, Julie Queen will be the head of the pack for the Rosman Middle School Tigers and Scott Strickler will lead the Brevard High School Blue Devils. These changes will be effective July 1, 2022.
"Having worked with Mrs. Lewis for the past two years, it is evident that she is ready for a new leadership challenge. Her attention to detail and her ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders will serve her well at Pisgah Forest Elementary School,” said Director of Elementary and Middle School Curriculum Carrie Norris.
As a Pisgah Forest Elementary and Brevard High School alumna, Amanda Lewis, graduated from Western Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education in 2009, became a National Board-Certified Teacher in 2017, and completed her master’s degree in School Administration at WCU in the spring of 2022.
“I have been very fortunate to have started my career in Transylvania County and to have spent thirteen years at Rosman Middle School. It has been a blessing to truly be a part of the Rosman Community. As I move into this next phase of my career, I look forward to getting to know the staff, students, and families that make up the Pisgah Forest Elementary community,” said Lewis.
Lewis has spent her entire 13-year education career in the halls of Rosman Middle and High School. Her time at Rosman has been busy as a math teacher, basketball coach for 8 years, instructional coach, and most recently as the Rosman Middle assistant principal. Reflecting on her previous roles in education Lewis stated “they have prepared her for this new adventure by learning that building relationships and establishing trust among staff, students, families, and community stakeholders is an integral part of creating a space for student success. In order for all students to be successful, it is key that these partnerships are established, nurtured, and maintained. I will do this by being available for the community, staff, and students at Pisgah Forest Elementary School and look forward to a healthy dialogue about how we can grow together.”
Julie Queen a veteran teacher of the Rosman community “is a proven educator and school leader. She has worked closely alongside the principals at both Rosman High School and Middle School and is keenly involved in the successes of those schools. She brings energy and focus to Rosman Middle to continue the preparation of those students for high school and beyond," stated Superintendent Dr. Jeff McDaris.
As Queen makes the shift from Rosman High to Rosman Middle she is thankful for “the strong foundation put into place by the hard work of the staff and previous administrators and I hope to build on that success.” As she takes the lead at Rosman Middle School her hope with the students, teachers, and families is to continue “solidifying relationships and connections between school, family, and community will be a focus area. I want RMS to always be a school where everyone feels supported and valued, able to take risks and encouraged to grow as individuals.”
Queen is a graduate of Western Carolina University with a bachelor’s of education in Spanish Education in 1996, she earned her recognition as a National Board-Certified Teacher in 2007, a master’s in Teaching languages in 2015, and earned an additional master’s in educational administration certificate in 2017 from the University of NC in Wilmington.
She began her teaching career in Henderson County Public Schools 25 years ago, before becoming a part of the Transylvania County Schools family 23 years ago as a Spanish teacher at Rosman High School. While a veteran educator, Julie Queen also brings her experiences as a legal clerk for the US Army Reserves and time as an international exchange coordinator to help in her role as a leader.
Having been a part of the Rosman schools for 23 years she said “I appreciate the camaraderie that Rosman Middle School and Rosman High School has and the unique opportunity to see students in the same halls from grades 6-12. Although I will miss working with students heading out into the “real world,” I am excited to help set them up for high school and life success while at RMS.”
“The opportunity to lead the wonderful staff at Brevard High School is a true blessing. Its storied history in our community, the continued success that occurs in and out of the classroom, a student body that wants to grow and learn together, and the parents, grandparents, guardians, and community stakeholders that support BHS are inspiring to me and will help me grow professionally and personally,” stated Mr. Scott Strickler on being named the principal of Brevard High School.
Strickler earned his bachelor’s of science in history at Appalachian State in 2002 and continued on to complete his master’s of school administration from Western Carolina University in 2010.
"Scott Strickler is a proven leader and strong educator with experience in multiple grade levels. He brings a focus on academics, and new school opportunities, but also positive care for the well-being of every student. He is a great choice to carry on the successful traditions of Brevard High School and work to meet the challenges of modern schooling,” said Dr. McDaris.
Stickler has spent his educational career in both the Rosman and Brevard area schools, starting his career as a Science and Social Studies teacher at Rosman Middle, he then made the move to Brevard Middle as the assistant principal and then for nearly the last decade returned to the Rosman community to serve as principal for Rosman Elementary, and currently as the principal for Rosman Middle.
When asking anyone about Scott Strickler his leadership becomes undeniable. "Mr. Strickler will bring incredible leadership skills and a true heart for doing what is best for students to Brevard High School. Having worked with Mr. Strickler for several years, I feel confident he will build a positive rapport with the students and staff while maintaining the high expectations BHS is accustomed to,” stated Director of High School Curriculum Missy Ellenberger.
Announcements for new assistant principal and instructional coach assignments will be forthcoming.