By Erin Smith
West Bladen High School has a new principal. Peggy Hester will be taking over the reigns as Principal at West Bladen High. She will replace current Principal Wesley Floyd when he leaves on June 30.
Hester is currently serving as Assistant Principal and she has served the school in the capacity of Assistant Principal for the past two years. Prior to that, Hester worked as an Instructional Technology Facilitator for Bladen County and Robeson County Schools. She also has taught middle grades social studies.
When asked how she became interested in school administration, Hester answered that she has always had a desire to be in administration. Hester said that as an administrator the responsibilities are different. She said the Principal is accountable for every teacher as well as every student. Hester said all eyes are on the leadership and watching the decisions you make.
“We need to remember that every student at West Bladen High School has the opportunity to be successful,” said Hester.
She has several goals that she would like to see accomplished at West Bladen High School.
“I would like to see more of the students going into higher education or the military,” said Hester.
She said one thing the staff is planning to do is focus on the students’ higher education goals and, along with that, the staff are focusing on improving student scores on the ACT tests. Hester said the staff are also encouraging students to complete the ACT WorkKeys.
“When they take that (WorkKeys) to an employer, it makes them more employable,” Hester.
The ACT WorkKeys is a job skills assessment that measures a student’s skills in a particular field of work.
Hester said that school staff will continue to work with students and encourage them to take courses at Bladen Community College. She said the New Schools grant has ended and some of the courses students had access to at East Carolina University and UNC-Greensboro will go away, but she said BCC will still partner with the school and continue offering courses to students.
She said the school’s graduation rate is in the 80 percent range which she said is strong. Hester said the staff is working to ensure the data on students who have moved or transferred to other schools is accurate.
Hester said that the school will work to ensure students are well known by teachers and staff. She added staff is working with parents to ensure the students stay in class and are on track for graduation. The school had 172 Seniors graduate this academic year.
Hester said that every Senior who was at the school graduated. She added some graduated early and all the Seniors applied to either a four-year college or university or a community college. She stressed that does not mean they actually will attend those schools.
“Some went into the military and some went to work,” said Hester.
Hester said the Junior year of high school tends to be when students consider dropping out. She said the school will work with students and let them know if they have a missed a credit, they can assist them in making it up.
Hester said the school’s attendance rate ranges in the 90 percent range. The school has received recognition and received the attendance banner for high school on numerous occasions throughout the year.
When asked what advice she would give to a teacher who is considering moving into administration, Hester thought a moment and said, “I would encourage them, if that is something they are interested in.”
She added that someone considering moving from the classroom into an administrative role, needs to consider that the duties and responsibilities are different.
“I think the biggest thing is the change in dynamics,” said Hester. She explained that as a Principal, your relationship with your fellow teachers and your students is different.
Hester earned her BA degree in Political Science from the College of Charleston; her M. A. Ed. from UNC-Pembroke in Social Studies Education (6-12); and her MSA degree from UNC-Pembroke. She is also a 2015 graduate of the Ed.S Educational Leadership program.
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