The Principal Development Advisor supports aspiring school leaders in the Master of School Administration (MSA) program through individualized coaching and structured reflection. Serving as a confidential thought partner, this role strengthens Fellows’ leadership practice, problem-solving, and decision-making as they apply theory in real school contexts.

Working closely with the Aspiring Principals Learning & Performance Coach, Principal Mentors, and program leadership, the Advisor ensures aligned support while guiding Fellows toward successful completion of the Executive Standards Work Plan (ESWP) and the North Carolina Principal Portfolio Assessment (NCPPA).

Key Responsibilities

• Coach & Develop Fellows: Provide consistent (at minimum weekly) coaching; guide reflection, decision-making, and resolution of Problems of Practice; model effective coaching practices
• Support ESWP & Portfolio Progress: Assist with goal setting, implementation, and alignment of ESWP; support development of portfolio artifacts and completion of NCPPA milestones
• Collaborate & Communicate: Partner with mentors and program staff; share insights, address concerns, and ensure coordinated support for Fellow success
• Monitor Progress & Provide Feedback: Review experiences, track progress, and deliver timely, actionable feedback and progress summaries
• Facilitate Engagement: Lead monthly in-person and virtual check-ins; participate in assessment days and program events
• Prepare Fellows for Leadership Roles: Provide career coaching, including mock interviews and resume support

Current Principal Development Advisors

Ken Branch, Ed.D.

Dr. Branch earned his undergraduate degree in secondary education from UNC Chapel Hill. He earned both his master’s in school administration and doctorate in educational leadership from NC State University. He served as a teacher and assistant principal abroad and in four NC school systems before becoming principal in the Wake County Public School System. During his 20-year tenure with Wake County, Dr. Branch served as an elementary and middle school principal. He opened Centennial Campus Middle School on the campus of NC State in 2000 and actively participated in the opening of the William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. In recognition of his work, he was honored in 2006 with the first Friday Medal. At the district level in Wake County, Dr. Branch served as the senior director of magnet schools and the senior director of middle schools. In 2011, he was invited to return to the principalship and to lead the restructuring of Brentwood Magnet Elementary School of Engineering. Based on this work, he was named the principal of year for Wake County in 2012. Dr. Branch served as adjunct professor in the College of Education at NC State from 2006 to 2012. He also served as head of school at Hopewell Academy in Cary 2016-2018.  Additionally, Dr Branch has worked as an executive coach at NC State and Durham County Schools as well as as interim principal in schools at all levels across Wake County.  Currently, Dr. Branch coaches new administrators in the Wake County Public School System. 

Rashard Curmon

Rashard P. Curmon is an educational leader with 17 years of experience serving students, educators, and communities across North Carolina. He currently serves as Director of Federal Programs for Lenoir County Public Schools.

Throughout his career, Curmon has served as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. He was named the 2024–2025 Lenoir County Public Schools Principal of the Year and a Southeast Regional Finalist for North Carolina Principal of the Year.

Curmon holds degrees from Elizabeth City State University, East Carolina University, and North Carolina State University. He is passionate about developing leaders, strengthening schools, and creating opportunities for students to succeed.

Jesse Gore

Jesse Gore serves as principal of Centennial Campus Center for Innovation Magnet Middle School in Wake County Public Schools. A proud former NELA graduate and current doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at NC State, Jesse is excited to now serve in a new capacity by supporting and developing the next generation of school leaders. His research interests center on instructional leadership, equity, and the development of school structures that support high-quality teaching and learning. 

Bob Grant

He has been an educator for over 33 years. He believes in servant leadership and in building collaborative, inclusive and dynamic learning communities. He taught elementary school for 19 years, was a National Board Certified Teacher, and served as an administrator for over 14 years. He was the WCPSS Assistant Principal of the Year and the WCPSS Magnet Principal of the year. His belief in creating safe and inclusive communities drives his personal and work life. He has taken significant steps to build resources, engage families, and support teachers to build safer and more inclusive learning environments. He retired as a full time educator in 2021. He continues to work with WCPSS as an executive leadership coach. He works with both first year principals and NC State MSA principal interns.

Windell Harris

Windell H. Harris, Jr. earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia and a Masters of School Administration from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. He was an elementary teacher for nineteen years and received Teacher of the Year during his tenure at Cooper’s Elementary in Nash County. He began his career in administration at W.L. Greene Middle School in Nashville, NC. He had the privilege of opening a new school, Winstead Avenue Elementary, in Rocky Mount, NC. He then moved to the Wake County Public School System where he served as assistant principal at Middle Creek Elementary, and simultaneously attended the Principal’s Executive Program in Chapel Hill, NC. In 2005, he was appointed as the principal of Holly Springs Elementary where he served for 10 years before retiring in 2015. Under Mr. Under Harris’ guidance, the school transitioned from a traditional to a multi-track, year-round calendar. Mr. Harris was on various WCPSS committees such as Principal/Assistant Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year. Since retiring, he has served in three interim administration positions for WCPSS. During his free time, he enjoys traveling, especially to the beach and the mountains, and spending time with his friends and family. He has two children and two grandchildren. Windell can be reached at [email protected].

Greg Hicks, Ed.D.

The middle of five children, Dr. Hicks is a first-generation college graduate. With degrees from Elon University (B.A.), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (M.Ed.), and NC State University (Ed.D.), Dr. Hicks has spent his entire career (40+ years) serving the children of North Carolina. Beginning his career as a junior high math teacher and coach (football, wrestling, and baseball), Greg knew early on that he wanted to “do more, to help more”, so he pursued school administration and became an assistant principal in 1985. Later, he served as a middle school and high school principal before retiring in 2010 as an Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Finance with Orange County Schools in Hillsborough, NC. Dr. Hicks served as a Teaching Assistant Professor (part-time) with NC State University from 2006-2021. Dr. Hicks can be reached at [email protected].

Clint Johnson

Clint Johnson served students for thirty-three years in public education in North Carolina. During that time he taught middle school language arts/social studies, taught at Barton College as an adjunct professor, and served as principal of elementary, middle, and high schools for twenty-seven years. During Clint’s tenure as principal at East Wake Middle he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and as principal at Fike Sr. High School in Wilson he was named Wilson County Principal of the Year. After “retiring” from the principalship, he served as a Leadership Coach with NC New Schools in schools from Cape Hatteras to Murphy for nine years. He most recently took on a year-long high school interim principalship. Clint received a bachelor’s degree in history from NC State and both master’s and EdS degrees from East Carolina University. He is an avid golfer and he and his family enjoy waking up to the roar of the ocean at their home in Pine Knoll Shores. Clint can be reached at [email protected].

Jim Key, Ed.D.

Dr. Jim Key has 35+ years experience in public education as a teacher, coach, principal and area superintendent for high schools. He spent his entire career in Durham Public Schools after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill where he earned both his B.A. and M.S.A. degrees. He was honored as the Teacher of the Year for two different schools and as the North Carolina High School Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1994. Key served as a principal for fourteen years leading schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels. He is proud that ten of his former assistant principals went on to become principals in Wake, Durham, Chapel-Hill/Carrboro, Chatham and Granville counties and for his work with numerous principal interns from UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State University and NCCU. Key was recognized as the Durham Public Schools Principal of the Year in 2009. Key served as Durham Public Schools area superintendent for high schools from 2011-2014. Upon retirement, Key was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his life-long dedication and commitment to North Carolina’s students, teachers and schools. He currently serves on the board of directors for the DPS Foundation. Jim is married to Ruth, a retired high school media specialist, and the proud father of two married adult children and one beautiful grandchild. During his spare time he enjoys hiking with Ruth and their dog, Roman.

Jan King, Ed.D.

Jan King spent most of her career in Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS), retiring in 2021 from the Assistant Superintendency. There, she launched the Aspiring Administrators Academy to build an internal pipeline of candidates for school leadership positions. In addition to her time teaching and leading in HCPS, Jan served 36 districts in the western part of the state from 2011-2015 as a Regional Lead for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) during the Race to the Top era.

Jan was named the 2010 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year, allowing her to serve as a policy advisor to the State Board of Education. She was also honored with the 2021 Frances Jones Trailblazer Award from the NC Association for Supervisors of Curriculum Development (ASCD) and the 2023 Ralph Kimmel Award honoree for the NC Principals and Assistant Principals Association (NCPAPA). 

Upon retirement from daily service to public schools, Jan began work with the Principal Fellows program at Western Carolina University, where she serves as a leadership coach. Additionally, Jan works closely with NCPAPA’s Assistant Principal Accelerator (APA) program as well as managing the partnership team at NC Peak Education, LLC.

Believing that thriving communities need people to come together for common good, Jan also serves on several local boards in her community. She enjoys her appointment as a Board of Trustee member at Blue Ridge Community College as well as her work on the Community Foundation of Henderson County Board of Directors. 

Steve Mares

After graduating from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, he served as a National Coordinator for Fiscal Management with a non-profit organization in Washington, D.C. After five years, he decided to switch careers and returned to James Madison University to earn his Business Teacher certification. He taught middle school students for three years before attending the UNC-Chapel Hill as a Principal Fellow to earn a Master of School Administration degree. He then served as an Assistant Principal at West Lake Elementary School for two years before serving as the Principal at Joyner Elementary School, Oberlin Middle School (Daniels Middle School at the time), Needham B. Broughton High School, and Athens Drive Magnet High School. One year after he left Athens Drive Magnet High School, Athens earned #1 National Magnet of the Year.

Cindy McCormic

Cindy McCormic is a retired principal from Cumberland County Schools. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Fayetteville Police Foundation. Cindy also serves as an Executive Coach with the UNC-G PPEERS Program. She has a Masters Degree in Middle Level Education, Mathematics and School Administration. Throughout her tenure with Cumberland County Schools, she served as a teacher assistant, mathematics teacher, assistant principal, and for her last 11 years, as a principal. She was the principal of John Griffin Middle School, recognized as a National School to Watch and a high performing middle school for 7 years and principal of Pine Forest High School for 4 years. Under her leadership, Pine Forest went from being in the state turnaround program in 2006 to being recognized as a School of Distinction in 2011. Mrs. McCormic has presented on numerous topics at county, state and national levels. She is most passionate about developing school leaders and instructional leadership. Cindy can be reached at [email protected].

Dr. Edye Morris-Bryant 

Dr. Edye Morris-Bryant is a proud four-time graduate of NC State University (Go Pack!) with more than 30 years of experience in public education as a teacher, school administrator, and executive leadership coach. Now retired from public school service, Dr. Morris-Bryant is the co-founder and owner of NC ElevatED, a leadership coaching and consulting firm that partners with schools and districts to develop effective leaders.

Dr. Morris-Bryant has served as a middle school classroom teacher, assistant principal, instructional specialist, and principal of two middle schools in Wake County Public Schools. At the district level, Edye served as a School Transformation Coach for Durham Public Schools, supporting principals and leadership teams in school improvement and instructional leadership. At the state level, Edye served as a School Leadership Coach with the NC Department of Public Instruction, providing executive coaching and leadership support to multiple schools across the Durham and Vance County school districts.

Dr. Morris-Bryant earned a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, a Master of School Administration, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Supervision from NC State University. Additional credentials include a Superintendent License and national certification as an Executive Leadership Coach. Dr. Edye Morris-Bryant is committed to developing leaders who create lasting, positive impact in schools, districts, and communities. Dr. Morris-Bryant can be reached at [email protected].

Donna Peters, Ph.D.

Dr. Donna Cox Peters has spent the majority of her career serving North Carolina’s public school children. She served as an educator in Guilford County Schools for 20 years at the elementary, middle, and high school levels as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. At the district level, she served as assistant superintendent in Moore County Schools and superintendent of both Rutherford County Schools and Montgomery County Schools. Dr. Peters was named the 2010 A. Craig Phillips Superintendent of the Year (NC SOY) by NCASA and NCSBA in recognition of her transformational leadership in the two school districts she led as superintendent. She has been honored by the UNCG School of Education as an Inspirational Educator (2019) and with the UNCG School of Education Distinguished Service Alumni Award (2020). Dr. Peters is a John Maxwell certified coach, teacher, and speaker and is passionate about adding value to others through her work as a consultant and leadership coach. Donna can be reached at [email protected].

Erica Shoulders-Royster, Ed.D.

Dr. Erica Shoulders-Royster, a first-generation college graduate, is dedicated to equitable education for all. Starting as a Teach for America Corps Member, she taught fourth grade in one of North Carolina’s lowest-performing elementary schools, sparking her lifelong commitment to educational reform. With dual Master of Administration in Education degrees from UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University, she advanced to leadership roles in several NC counties, improving student outcomes across districts.

As Principal of Franklin County Early College High School, Dr. Shoulders-Royster achieved remarkable milestones, including the school’s first-ever “A” grade and doubled recruitment rates through innovative initiatives like summer training for incoming students and a robust mentor program. Beyond academics, she fostered collaboration and support. Driven by her passion for continuous improvement, she earned her Doctoral of Education Degree in Educational Leadership & Supervision and superintendent license from NC State while serving as principal.

Currently, Erica serves as the Career and College Ready Graduate (CCRG) Program Administrator on The Office of Innovation Team at the Department of Public Instruction, dedicated to unlocking opportunities for all students. Beyond her career, she finds fulfillment as a proud wife, mother of five adult children, and G-Ma to one grandson, embodying resilience, compassion, and leadership in every aspect of her life.

John A. Wall Jr. 

With over 38 years in public education, John Wall is a proven instructional, cultural, and organizational leader dedicated to transforming schools and fostering student success. He began his career teaching in the New York City Public Schools before joining Wake County Public Schools in 1990 as a social studies teacher and coach. He earned his Master’s in Educational Administration from NC State University in 1995.

John served as principal of Zebulon Middle School, North Garner Year-Round Middle School, Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, and West Charlotte High School, earning recognition as Wake County Principal of the Year and NC North Central Regional Principal of the Year. As Learning Community Superintendent in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, he oversaw more than 50 schools and 50,000 students, implementing strategic initiatives, coaching principals, and leading data-driven school improvement efforts.

Known for his transformational leadership, John inspires teams through distributive leadership and research-based practices, consistently improving academic outcomes and building supportive, student-centered environments. His leadership philosophy is simple: “To lead, you must serve.” He can be reached at [email protected].