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Northstar Academy

Small School, Big Mission

School Leadership

School Leadership

A Message from our Principal

A man with glasses and a beard smiles at the camera.

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”  --Albert Einstein

 
Do you remember learning how to ride a bicycle? You needed constant encouragement, coaching, and even someone who held on until you found your balance. There were skinned knees, choice words, and even tears at times, but we were encouraged to get back up, get back on, and keep moving forward. The teachers and staff at CREC are here to coach, encourage, and even hold you up when you need it. Our goal is to see you find your balance and to become a successful person, whatever that means for you. Will you fall down? Probably, but the greater question is will you get back up, get back on, and keep moving?

  • A man with glasses and a beard smiles at the camera.

    Timothy Adams
    Principal,
    Catawba Rosenwald Education Center

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    Meet Timothy Adams, Principal

    Joined Team CCS - July 2006

    Experience 
    I have worked in public education in many different capacities over the past 27 years. I started my career after serving 4 years in the United States Army, being an independent business owner, and completing an M.A. in Secondary Education with a teacher licensure add-on. My first teaching position was as a full-time substitute at Muncie Central High School, where I also coached Track and Field and weight lifting. I came from Indiana to Newton-Conover High School, where I taught Science and coached Track, Cross Country, and Volleyball. I taught Science and Math at Hudson Middle School and coached wrestling for one year. I then spent the next 7 years teaching Earth and Environmental Science as well as Global Impact at Challenger Early College, where I coached Wrestling, Cross Country, and Track. I was the teacher of the year at Challenger in 2007, and I served on the BLT from 2006 to 2010. I was a Project-Based Learning teacher, and I worked with Catawba Valley Community College on their SACS Accreditation as they worked to study the influence of critical thinking on the classroom and adult learning. I served at Catawba Rosenwald Education Center for 2 years as the Assistant Principal as well as their lead for Project ESTEEM, and the principal representative for the middle school. I also helped the PE teacher and staff create a comprehensive Intramural program that helps students work on social-emotional, physical, and mental skills. From 2015 to 2020, I served at Oxford Elementary as their Assistant Principal. I have served on all committees and in all aspects of the school domain. I have also worked with the Chamber of Catawba County in creating a transition pipeline and support system for veterans moving out of the military and into the civilian world, with a focus on finding them jobs and housing in Catawba County. I am also working with the Chamber on telling Catawba County's Education Story and with their Leadership Catawba program, which I graduated from in March of 2020. I have spent the last 6 years as the principal of Catawba Rosenwald Education Center, and I look forward to serving Northstar Academy.

    Education 
    B.S. Chemistry and Life Sciences, United States Military Academy (West Point)
    M.A. Secondary Education, Ball State University, M.A. School Administration, Appalachian State University
    Ed.S. Curriculum and Instruction, Gardner-Webb University; ESL Certificate, Lenoir-Rhyne University; Driver's Education and School Safety Certificate, East Carolina University; AP Physics Certificate, Ball State University

    Why I Became an Educator
    Just like many other teachers, I had great teachers who influenced and persuaded me throughout my life and career choices. Yet, it was not my burning ambition to become a teacher as a child. I wanted to be a scientist or a military officer. I pursued both of those avenues in attaining a science degree while at the United States Military Academy. God had different plans, and after being discharged from the military for an extreme case of ulcers, I found myself searching for a way to serve the community and country that had given me so much. After years of soul searching, praying, and fretting over where my life was headed, I had a dream that clearly showed me that I should become a teacher. The very next day, I applied to a graduate program for a master's in education and a teaching license. This may seem very impulsive, but my ulcers had not only sidelined my military and science career, but they had also hospitalized me multiple times. Two years later, I graduated with a degree in education and a teaching license, as well as a diagnosis of being in remission for my ulcers. You see, shortly after starting my student teaching, I went to the doctor for a check-up, and he ordered tests. At that time, he found that my ulcers of 7 years had gone into remission. I have pursued education and teaching ever since, as one given a divine gift, bearing the burden of repaying that gift through dedicated and devoted service to the One who bestowed it. That is who and what influenced my decision to pursue education. He drives me every day to be and do my best for children so that they have the opportunities to make their own mid-life corrections one day!

    Favorite Place in Catawba County
    I would have to say it is home. My family enjoys traveling and seeing the world, but there is nothing like coming home to Catawba County. Sometimes I feel like we travel just so we can look forward to coming home. We enjoy the trails and the parks, the opportunities to enjoy cuisine choices from around the world, the friendly and familiar faces, being an hour from the mountains and a few from beautiful beaches. After 20 years of living in Catawba County, it has become a part of my heart, and they say, "Home Is Where the Heart Is!"

    Favorite Activities
    I enjoy church, mission trips, gardening, eating, camping, hiking, kayaking, and fishing. 

    Something Unique About Me
    I have taken classes in Spanish, French, German, and Chinese. I have come to the conclusion that I was interested in the languages but more interested in the cultures and the foods!

     

    I became a member of the CCS family because of their focus on rigorous education; their devotion to students, family and community; and their desire to change the world through every child's success story. That was not a place to work, but a place to live and help Make Education Better!

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    Jamie Mabry
    Assistant Principal,
    Northstar Academy

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    Mr. Jamie Mabry

    I am grateful to serve at Catawba Rosenwald Education Center as our Assistant Principal, where each day I have the privilege of working with dedicated staff and incredible students. I have spent 27 years in education and continue to find purpose and joy in building strong relationships that help students grow academically, socially, and personally.

    I earned my Bachelor of Arts in K-6 Elementary Education from Pfeiffer University and later completed my Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University. Prior to my career in education, I proudly served eight years in the North Carolina Army National Guard, including two deployments.

    I am blessed to be married to my wonderful wife, Paula Mabry, who is also an educator in Catawba County Schools. We share a deep commitment to supporting our students and our community.

    Outside of school, I enjoy landscaping, spending time on my tractor, hunting and fishing, and making memories with my wife. I am grateful for the many blessings in my life and look forward to continuing my work with Catawba County Schools for years to come.

    It is truly an honor to be part of CCS and the CREC family—I would not want to be anywhere else.