♦ (Durham, NC November 4, 2016) North Carolina Connections Academy, a tuition-free online public school under the North Carolina Office of Charter Schools, Department of Public Instruction, announces the expanding administrative role of Nathan Currie, who is assuming a new Superintendent position, and the hiring of GeRita T. Walden as Principal of Middle School Grades. Currie has been Principal and Executive Director since the virtual school began in February 2015. In the 2016-17 school year, NC Connections Academy added 10th grade and now serves grades K-10 to 1800 North Carolina students.
“I am proud of the growth that North Carolina Connections is experiencing across North Carolina. In order to better serve the needs of our students and their families, we recognized the need to modify our administrative duties,” Currie said, “I look forward to capitalizing on the great work our current teachers and staff have accomplished so far, and welcome Ms. Walden to our team.”
NCCA Board member/parent representative Bridget Phifer was on the committee that recommended Walden’s hiring. “One reason was her accomplishments she’s made in such a short time at the school she is currently Principal. The second thing that really stood out to me included the best methods she identified for communicating and engaging parents in our virtual environment,” Phifer said, “She also talked about encouraging her teachers and implementing school improvement plans. I believe NCCA will be blessed to have her.”
Bridget Phifer, NCCA Board Member/Parent Representative:
Walden is an experienced North Carolina educator. Since 2014, she has been Principal of Overton Elementary in the Rowan-Salisbury Schools in Salisbury, NC. Prior to that she was Assistant Principal at Summerfield Charter Academy, Summerfield, NC. She has also been an elementary and special education teacher, and high school cheer coach.
“I have had a lifelong goal of impacting the lives of as many North Carolina children as possible. North Carolina Connections Academy, I look forward to using these trendsetting and transformative opportunities to reach and engage with students across the state,” said Walden, “I am a strong proponent of school choice and I look forward to serving students in a new way. I also want to ensure that we have the best learning experience for students and that we’re giving our teachers opportunities to grow.”
Walden is expected to start her new position at NC Connections Academy on November 30, 2016.
About North Carolina Connections Academy:
North Carolina Connections Academy is a tuition-free, virtual public charter school for students in grades K-10. The school was approved in February 2015 by the North Carolina State Board of Education and NCCA provides students with the flexibility to learn from anywhere there is an Internet connection and with an innovative online curriculum that meets rigorous state education standards. The combination of certified North Carolina-based teachers, an award-winning curriculum, engaging electives, technology tools, and social experiences provides a supportive online learning opportunity for students who want an individualized approach to education. With the 2016-17 school year, NCCA can enroll up to1800 students across North Carolina in grades K-10. Additional grade levels will be added each school year until it serves K-12. For more information, call 919-224-4040 or visit http://www.NorthCarolinaConnectionsAcademy.com.
