Johnston Principal Leadership Academy Fellows

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Melissa Altemose, Ed.D.
Sponsoring District: Edgecombe
Current District: n/a

Melissa earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Rochester and received her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, K-12 Science Education at George Mason University. Teach for America brought her to North Carolina in 2011. She taught at Weldon Middle School for two years. She then spent four years in Washington, D.C. teaching at Achievement Prep Academy in Southeast D.C. and Jefferson Academy Middle School in Southwest D.C., where she served as Grade Level Lead. While in D.C. she was named a Capital Commitment Fellow by DCPS for being an effective, experienced teacher committed to closing the achievement gap. She served as DCPS Travel Ambassador leading study abroad trips for 8th grade students and was a mentor teacher with TechBridge Girls, George Washington University and the University of D.C. Recently, Melissa won a Foundation for Blended and Online Learning Innovative Educator Grant and was named a National Finalist in the NSTA’s Shell Lab Redesign Challenge. She taught 8th grade science at W.A. Pattillo Middle School in Tarboro, NC and served as a Project Manager for ENC STEM, a program that provides high quality STEM learning opportunities and leadership training to high school students in eastern North Carolina before starting her principal residency. Melissa completed her principal residency at Henderson Collegiate during the 2019-2020 school year, then served as assistant principal at Coker-Wimberly Elementary School for the 2020-2021 school year. Melissa was serving as Assistant Principal at Tarboro High School in Edgecombe County, then was Assistant Principal at GW Bulluck Elementary School before becoming Principal in 2022. Melissa earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from NC State University in August 2023. Currently, Dr. Altemose serves as Chief Academic Officer at Durham Charter School.

Marta-Malia Blake
Sponsoring District: Johnston
Current District: Johnston

Malia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Education from Hawaii Pacific University. As a high school English Language Arts teacher, she has taught all levels and all grades. Transferring between Florida and Hawaii for most of her 12-year career has provided her the opportunity to experience different educational organizations on opposite ends of our Nation. Malia also spent four years out of the classroom as a Support Facilitator, learning powerful strategies to help struggling students and communication strategies to work best with their parents. In addition, she also provided various faculty trainings about Best Practices for Students with Disabilities. Malia also taught writing to elementary students during her summer breaks. She has served as the English Department Head, Instructional Leadership Team Member, SIT member, Presenter at GAFE Summits, Class of 2014 Faculty Advisor, Imua Club Sponsor/Advisor, and Cheerleading Coach. She has been recognized for excellence in Curriculum and Assessment and Exceptional School Leadership. Malia was also selected to represent Hawaii in SBAC trainings across the country. The 2017-2018 school year was her first year teaching in North Carolina and she loved being a West Johnston High School Wildcat. She taught 10th grade English at West Johnston before starting her principal residency. Malia completed her principal residency at Riverwood Elementary School during the 2019-2020 school year then returned to teaching at West Johnson High School. Currently, Malia serves as Assistant Principal at Cleveland High School in Johnston since August 2022.

Michelle Butler
Sponsoring District: Johnston
Current District: Johnston

Michelle graduated from the University of South Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1995. Her certifications include Elementary Education (K-6) and Academically Gifted (K-12). Michelle has 18 years teaching experience in Florida and North Carolina. She was recognized as a Certified Teacher of the Month for Johnston County Schools in 2013. In addition to her teaching duties, Michelle served as a member of the School Improvement Team, MTSS grade level representative, and grade level chair. Michelle served as an Instructional Resource Teacher for North Johnston Middle School and a Teaching and Learning Coach for Johnston County Schools before starting her principal residency. Michelle completed her principal residency at Corinth-Holders Elementary School during the 2019-2020 school year and remained at Corinth-Holders Elementary School serving as Assistant Principal. In 2023, Michelle began serving as Interim Principal at Corinth Holders Elementary School and became Principal in 2024.

Sarah Cowell
Sponsoring District: Johnston

Sarah earned her Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in Language Arts and Social Studies and graduated with honors from North Carolina State University. Sarah was selected as her school’s Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year in 2010. She has taught all grades in the middle school setting. During her years of teaching, Sarah also served as the co-chair of her English/Language Arts PLC and as the Student Government Association adviser. She was a Teaching and Learning Coach at McGee’s Crossroads Elementary School. In this role, Sarah served as the MTSS coach, led the School Curriculum Team, facilitated professional development at the school and district level, and supported teachers in their continued efforts to improve teaching and learning before starting her principal residency. In addition, she was an active member of the School Improvement Team. Sarah completed her principal residency at Benson Elementary School during the 2019-2020 school year. She stayed at Benson Elementary School serving as Assistant Principal until 2022 when she became Assistant Principal at McGee’s Crossroads Elementary School. Sarah has since left the education field.

Jeffrey Henry
Sponsoring District: Johnston
Current District: Johnston

Jeffrey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education at East Carolina University. He was recognized as a Beginning Teacher of the Year in 2012, Teacher of the Year in 2015 (County Finalist) and WRAL Teacher of the week. He has served as a member of the School Improvement Team, member of the Teacher Advisory Council, STEM Chair, Science Coordinator, and Beginning Teacher mentor. One of his favorite quotes is, “The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think — rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves,” – John Dewey. He served as a 5th grade science and social studies teacher at Cleveland Elementary School in Johnston County before starting his principal residency. Jeffrey completed his principal residency at Benson Middle School during the 2019-2020 school year. He will remain at Benson Middle School serving as Assistant Principal since June 2020.

Amanda Huber
Sponsoring District: Johnston
Current District: Johnston

Amanda graduated with honors from Youngstown State University in Ohio with a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education. Her degree concentrated in Math and Science with a Reading Endorsement. Amanda started her teaching career as a middle school science teacher at McGee’s Crossroads Middle School in Johnston County. After six great years with the same team of teachers, she served as an instructional coach for the next three years. During that time, she supported and streamlined her school’s MTSS program and supported team data analysis. While at the middle school level, she coached volleyball for 10 years, was a member of the School Improvement Team, and was PLC lead. Amanda taught Earth and Environmental Science at West Johnston High School before starting her principal residency. Amanda completed her principal residency at Smithfield-Selma High School during the 2019-2020 school year and remained at Smithfield-Selma High School serving as Assistant Principal between July 2020 and July 2024. Currently, she serves as Assistant Principal at Clayton Middle School in Johnston County.

Leshaun Jenkins
Sponsoring District: Edgecombe
Current District: Pitt

Leshaun is a 2000 graduate of East Carolina University where he obtained two Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and in Political Science. He spent 16 years teaching in the History Department at Tarboro High School in Tarboro, NC. He taught World History, World Geography, Civics and Economics, US History, and Global Studies. He was Teacher of the Year four times as well as the District Global Educator of the Year in 2015 for Edgecombe County Public Schools. Leshaun was the Interim Assistant Principal at Phillips Middle School during the 2018-2019 school year. He then served as Assistant Principal at Tarboro High School until March 2022 and later served as Principal at Patillo Middle School as of June 15, 2022. Currently, Leshaun serves as Principal at Pitt Early College High School in Pitt County.

Dominique Manson
Sponsoring District: Johnston
Current District: Johnston

Dominique is a graduate of NC A&T State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports & Fitness Management as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching Physical Education. Dominique was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, where he served as Program Coordinator, and Community service chair where he logged over 1000 hours of community service. Dominique was employed at South Johnston High School where he was the Physical Education Teacher/Head Junior Varsity (JV) Football Coach, Head JV Girls Basketball, and Head Track Coach. Dominique has also served as an interventionist, where he took on a mentor role with “at-risk” students. Dominique served as Assistant Principal at South Johnson High School and now serves as Assistant Principal at Clayton High School in Johnston since August 2022.

Nicole McKenna
Sponsoring District: Johnston

Nicole earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Childhood Education with a concentration in Mathematics from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York. Upon graduating, she received her New York State teaching certification and began her teaching career in Bronx, New York. Throughout her husband’s military service abroad, Nicole developed and implemented the Army’s newest kindergarten readiness pilot program, Strong Beginnings, at the Child Development Center in Livorno, Italy and taught first grade at the Livorno Unit School for the Department of Defense Education Activity Europe (DoDEA-E), serving military children from all over the world. Nicole has taught at Polenta Elementary for four years and has served as a coach for the school’s successful Science Olympiad team and a grade representative for the school’s math team. Nicole was teaching kindergarten and was responsible for the English portion of the English-Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program at Polenta Elementary School. She served as a second grade teacher at Polenta before starting her principal residency. Nicole completed her principal residency at Innovation Academy during the 2019-2020 school year. She served as the Supervisory Program Specialist at US Army Garrison (USAG) Benelux Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Child Development Center – Belgium from August-December 2020. Nicole is currently serving there as a 5th grade teacher.

Allison Price
Sponsoring District: Johnston
Current District: Wake

Allison earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education-General Curriculum with Reading K-12 and graduated with Honors from East Carolina University. Following graduation, she taught inclusion and resource for four years and one year in a self-contained Autism classroom at West Clayton Elementary in Clayton, NC. She also orchestrated parent involvement activities and served as the School Improvement Team County Representative. She spent the next three years of her career at Cleveland Middle School, also in Clayton, where she was the Exceptional Children’s (EC) Department Chair, participated in the School Improvement Team and obtained additional licensure in Middle Grades Math. She opened the first high school High Functioning Autism classroom in Johnston County at Cleveland High School where she taught and was EC Department Chair two years before starting her principal residency. Allison completed her principal residency at Cooper Academy during the 2019-2020 school yea then served as Assistant Principal at Riverwood Middle School since July 2020. Currently, Allison is Assistant Principal at Ballentine Elementary School in Wake County.

Beth Rhyne
Sponsoring District: Johnston

Beth earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education from Gardner-Webb University. She has taught Middle and High School Science in Cleveland County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Brunswick County, New Hanover County, and Johnston County school districts. Additionally, she served as the “High Schools that Work” Co-Chair for Burns High School in Cleveland County. She was a participant in New Hanover County’s Leadership Academy and was also recognized as Johnston County Employee of the Month for February 2013. She was recently named Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year for 2018. She taught physical science at Cleveland High School in Johnston County before starting her principal residency. Beth completed her principal residency at East Clayton Elementary School during the 2019-2020 school year. She has served as Assistant Principal at West Johnston High School since July 2020 and served in the role until her retirement in summer of 2023.