Melody Chalmers, principal of E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, was surprised by the entire school when she walked into its gymnasium recently.
A rally was organized by the student body to celebrate Chalmers being named as the North Carolina Principal of the Year for 2016 by Wells Fargo.
According to Chalmers, it was a very emotional experience. She felt that success was achieved in the school as students, staff, parents, and members of the community all came together and worked for this recognition.
The award will provide her with $3,000 for the school and an equal amount for personal use.
Chalmers has been in education for 18 years. In 2004, she became assistant principal at the high school and was later appointed as principal. She will continue in that role, but will now travel across North Carolina as an ambassador for education, perhaps carrying and distributing materials from a printing company about the factors that contribute to helping students succeed in their studies.
Chalmers also wants to make people in the community and across the state aware of the challenges in public education, and how the school has been able to do more with less funding to overcome these obstacles.
There have been just two other principals from E.E. Smith High School who have received this recognition.
