Johnston County Schools honored forty-seven individuals, representing each school and Central department, as the system’s 2010 “Leading With The Heart” recipients. A reception was held on February 11 at the system’s Facility Services conference room. Each recipient was escorted by a school or department leader and a personal guest.



The recognition is based on Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s book, Leading with the Heart. Dr. Croom opened the event by quoting Coach K, “Leaders have to search for the heart on a team, because the person who has it can bring out the best in everybody else.” The superintendent went on to acknowledge that the greatness of Johnston County Schools is due to the dedication of the employees across the school system and was quick to say that it was because of their work and not his.



JCS Board of Education members were present to applaud these special employees. Vice-Chair Dorothy Johnson, along with Dr. Ed Croom, congratulated each honoree and presented each with a custom-designed pin and a poster touting the reasons the honoree was chosen.

In a surprise announcement, Dr. Ed Croom was recognized as a district wide honoree. He was nominated by the students and staff of Johnston County Schools for the heartfelt leadership he has provided in his first year as superintendent. He stated that he was very humbled by the honor.

JCS employs 4039 people who go the extra mile for their co-workers, students, and parents. Of those many deserving employees, these forty-seven were chosen as this year’s honorees for “Leading With The Heart.”

The 2010 honorees are:

AIG Center Jennifer Foy

Archer Lodge Middle Darlene Batts

Benson Elementary Stephanie Lofink

Benson Middle Tracie McLamb

Clayton High Luellen Benson

Clayton Middle Ulises Suarez

Cleveland Elementary Stephanie Worley

Cleveland Middle Michelle Burgess

Cooper Elementary Annita Rao

Corinth-Holders Elementary Ashley Towle

Dixon Road Elementary Deborah Higginbotham

East Clayton Elementary Sheron Wiggs

Four Oaks Elementary Alvaro Deossa

Four Oaks Middle James Daughtry

Glendale-Kenly Elementary Sandy Laughinghouse

Johnston County Early College Academy David Thomas

Johnston County Middle College High Gaile Brittain

McGee’s Crossroads Elementary Debbie Temple

McGee’s Crossroads Middle Angela Honeycutt

Meadow School Rhonda Langston

Micro-Pine Level Elementary Karen Starr

North Johnston High Johnny Price

North Johnston Middle Pat Narron

Polenta Elementary Starla Sherman

Powhatan Elementary Nancy Adams

Princeton Elementary Dwight Jones

Princeton Middle/High Vicky Cline

River Dell Elementary Don Fingar

Riverwood Elementary Barbara Adams

Riverwood Middle Colleen Lunger

Selma Elementary Beth Thomas

Selma Middle Centora Holder

Smithfield Middle Nancy Wiggins

Smithfield-Selma High Kevin Daughtry

South Campus High Patricia Polack

South Campus Middle Jennifer Patterson

South Johnston High SMSgt. Tommie George

South Smithfield Elementary Haley Stancil-Mitchell

West Clayton Elementary John Camarda

West Johnston High Beth Miller

West Smithfield Elementary Ginger Stanley

West View Elementary Connie Nunnery

Wilson’s Mills Elementary Latoya Snead

Administrative Services Juanita Taylor

Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability Vivian Hall

Facility Services Sharon Fogleman

Human Resources Alberta Ingram