Special to the Journal

Three administrators have been named to new positions for the 2010-11 school year in the Richmond County Schools system.

Keith McKenzie, principal of Fairview Heights Elementary School, has been named the new principal of East Rockingham Elementary School; Pam Patterson, principal at Scotland High School of Health Sciences, has been named the new principal of Rockingham Middle School and Sharon Johnson, RCS Graduation Project Coordinator, has been selected as the new Director of Career and Technical Education.

Dr. George Norris, RCS superintendent, said he looks forward to what each leader will bring to his or her respective position.

“Each of these individuals has proven their commitment to student learning, and has shown exceptional leadership,” Norris said. “I am excited for each of them to join our leadership team and help us carry out our mission of ensuring that all of our students learn every day and reach their high potentials.”

McKenzie began his career as a science and physical education teacher at Hamlet Junior High School.

After teaching physical education for several years, he joined the staff at Washington Street Elementary School where he first began his administrative duties as an assistant principal.

For two years, he served as principal at Hoffman Elementary School before taking over as principal at Fairview Heights.

McKenzie says that while he will miss those he has worked with for several years in the Fairview Heights community, he looks forward to working with the students, families and community supporters at East Rockingham Elementary.

“I have always enjoyed the elementary grades and the personalities of the younger students. I am sure it will be challenging but also fulfilling as these great schools are merged,” McKenzie said. “I am very grateful for the opportunity but will miss very much the children, parents, faculty and staff of Fairview Heights School. They are truly wonderful in every way.”

McKenzie received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in December of 1979. He received his Master’s degree in School Administration and Curriculum from East Carolina University in 1999.

Patterson currently serves as principal of Scotland High School of Health and Sciences.

A native of Richmond County, she began her career at Ellerbe Junior High School as a science teacher. She also taught for four years at Richmond Senior High School.

Patterson lives in Hamlet, and is excited to return to Richmond County as a school leader.

Patterson says she looks forward to working with the staff, students and parents at Rockingham Middle School.

“I believe when a leader sets high expectations for the faculty, staff and students that all will rise to occasion and meet those expectations. This is exactly what I expect for Rockingham Middle School,” Patterson said. “It’s very exciting for me to be home.”

Patterson received her bachelor’s degree from UNC-Pembroke in Science Education. She also obtained a Master’s degree in Science Education, and her administrative licensure from UNC-Pembroke.

She plans to pursue her doctorate in Educational Leadership through East Carolina University and UNC-Pembroke.

Johnson serves as the RCS Graduation Project Coordinator.

She began her career with Richmond County Schools in 1988 working with a Dropout Prevention Program funded through the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) teaching Employability Skills.

After a couple of years, she moved into an Industrial Cooperative Training (ICT) teaching position. Several years later she became the program operator for the Workforce investment Act (WIA) At-Risk Program and taught career management courses.

Before taking the position as RCS Graduation Project Coordinator, Johnson served as the Career Development Coordinator for the district.

RCS has just completed the process of a Career and Technical Education Program Review, and Johnson says she looks forward to implementing a number of new initiatives to update the CTE program.

“My first responsibility will be to use the information we have gained from the program review to make several transformations in our program,” Johnson said. “Career and Technical Education has a strong history in Richmond County, and I’m so proud to be following in the footsteps of the previous directors. I’m very excited to have this opportunity.”

Johnson received an associate’s degree from Wingate College. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Soil Conservation at North Carolina State University, and her Masters’ degree in Workforce Development from North Carolina A&T State University.