WS/FCS Announces New District Leaders
Joint Leadership Model Introduced at Parkland High School
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education has approved new principals for four schools. David Friedman is the new principal of Hanes Magnet Middle School. Jessica Gillespie-Johnson will lead Jefferson Middle School. N-Kenga Reich is the new principal of Ibraham Elementary School.
Jonathan Sidden and Walter Johnson will jointly lead Parkland High School as co-principals. The leadership at Parkland is a collaborative model where both principals will share equal opportunities in leadership at the school.
“Parkland High School is on a path toward excellence and their unique needs call for a unique response,” said WS/FCS Superintendent Tricia McManus. “A co-principal model will capitalize on the strengths and talents of two leaders who will work closely to ensure that every student feels a sense of belonging and is pushed to achieve at the highest levels, every staff member has the resources and support needed to thrive as educational professionals, and the community is embraced as partners in the work. Mustang pride is alive in our community and will continue to be strengthened through this leadership model.”
Finally, Superintendent McManus will restructure her cabinet by elevating Dr. Barnes Jones from Assistant Superintendent of Talent Development and School Transformation to Chief of Schools. As Chief of Schools, Dr. Barnes-Jones will supervise and support the work of Area Superintendents who directly supervise and support school principals. She will continue to oversee and support the development of all leaders, teachers, and staff as well as school transformation efforts. Her current position will not be reposted. The position will be eliminated.
“This change will ensure greater alignment of all leadership development and school transformation efforts and targeted support for those responsible for working directly with school leaders to execute the strategies in our district strategic plan,” said McManus.
Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Fabby Williams, will continue overseeing several district divisions and departments with an additional focus on community relations, networking, and engagement efforts.
Friedman graduated from Appalachian State University with a Master of School Administration degree. He got his teaching license from Fayetteville State University and Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He is currently an assistant principal at R.J. Reynolds High School. He was a teacher at RJR from 2006 to 2011. Prior to joining WS/FCS, Mr. Friedman was a teacher at Grimsley High School in Guilford County.
Gillespie-Johnson began with WS/FCS in 2008 as a teacher at Paisley Magnet Middle. She spent five years as a teacher in Dare County Schools before returning to WS/FCS as a teacher at Northwest Middle and then Jefferson Middle where she was also a principal intern. She served as assistant principal at Flat Rock Middle and is currently an assistant principal at Walkertown High School.
She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University and Master of School Administration degree from Western Carolina University. She is currently working toward her Doctor of Education degree from Western.
Reich began her career with WS/FCS in 2014 as a teacher at Konnoak Elementary. After moving to Cook Literacy Model School she served at Ashley Academy as an instructional facilitator. Currently, Mrs. Reich is the assistant principal at Ward Elementary School.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Winston-Salem State University. She earned a Master’s in Education from Salem College, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from High Point University where she also completed a post Master’s certification in Educational Leadership and Organizational Development. Additionally, she holds five Professional Teaching Licensures from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and is currently pursuing her Doctoral Degree at High Point University.
Johnson has held several positions in WS/FCS. He was assistant principal at East Forsyth, Walkertown and Parkland High Schools. He is currently, the principal of Forbush Middle School in Yadkin County.
Johnson received his Education Specialist degree from East Carolina University. He has a Master’s Degree from Appalachian State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Winston-Salem State University.
Sidden started with WS/FCS in 2002 as a teacher at North Forsyth High School and then Parkland High School. He was an assistant principal at Davie High School in Davie County before returning to WS/FCS as an assistant principal at Walkertown High School. Currently, Sidden serves as an assistant principal at Jefferson Middle School.
Mr. Sidden has a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and has his I.B. Music Certification from the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Barnes-Jones served as a principal in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Dr. Barnes-Jones spent 13 years teaching at various levels from elementary to high school before moving into district leadership roles. She has served as assistant principal, principal, and principal coach. She joined WS/FCS in 2021, supervising 15 transformation schools before advancing to Assistant Superintendent for Talent Development and School Transformation.
She earned a Master's degree in Curriculum and Supervision from UNC-Charlotte and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University.
Leaders will begin their new roles on July 1.