Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is leveraging the State Principal Recruitment Bonus to bring high-achieving principals to Ashley Academy, Gibson Elementary, and Winston-Salem Preparatory.
Diana McIntosh, principal at Walkertown Elementary, will move into the same role at Ashley Academy. Celena Tribby, principal of Cook Literacy Model School, will assume leadership of Gibson Elementary. Knick Dixon, currently a principal in Guilford County Schools, will become principal of Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy.
In addition, the superintendent has appointed Anita Hooker to Cook Literacy Model School as part of the transition of leadership. This move is not part of the bonus.
The principal recruitment bonus allows districts to attract highly effective school leaders with a demonstrated history of improving student achievement and driving academic growth.
“Our district is committed to placing the most effective leaders in every school, especially in schools that need them the most,” Superintendent Tricia McManus said. “The principal recruitment bonus allows us to make strategic investments in student success.”
McIntosh will begin her new role on July 1. Since becoming principal of Walkertown Elementary, she has moved the school up a letter grade from a D to a C. She has also overseen two consecutive years where the school exceeded growth.
Tribby will also begin her new role on July 1. Under her leadership, Cook Literacy Model School experienced a dramatic rise in student achievement, improving its school performance grade from an F to a C in three years. The academic gains made Cook the school with the highest net growth among Restart Schools statewide in the 2023-2024 school year.
Dixon has 20 years of experience in education with roles as a teacher, dean of students, ELA curriculum Specialist, Assistant Principal, Principal He began his career as a teacher in Guilford County Schools. He moved to Tennessee where he was a KIPP Miles Fellow and helped found three of the highest performing public schools in Metro Nashville. He is currently principal of
Hairston Middle School in Guilford County. He begins his job at Winton-Salem Preparatory Academy on June 15.
Hooker became principal of Ashley Academy in 2023 following a successful three-year term as assistant principal. Prior to Ashley, she held administrative positions in Davie and Guilford County Schools. Mrs. Hooker has been instrumental in Ashley’s continued improvement. Mrs. Hooker played a key role in Ashley’s progress, with the school exceeding academic growth and exiting low-performing status in 2023. She moves to Cook on July 1.
The bonus provides a $30,000 pay supplement for up to three years. The program allows WS/FCS to be competitive with other systems across the state and nation in recruiting and retaining top-tier principal talent. It ensures that WS/FCS does not lose strong candidates to other opportunities. These are leaders who are identified as knowing how to inspire teachers, engage families, and create school cultures where every child thrives.
Schools receiving new leaders under this initiative qualify for support due to persistent challenges in student outcomes. WS/FCS is committed to reversing that trend by placing leaders with a proven track record of turning around similar schools.