Meet Preston Clarke, Principal

I joined the CCS team on June 14, 2021. 

Experience

I began my teaching career as an AVID elective teacher at Maiden High School in August of 2006, where I taught for three years until July of 2009. From August 2009 until September 2011, I taught Social Studies at Watauga High School which is in Boone, NC. In September 2011, I transitioned to an Assistant Principal role at Watauga High School. I was named the Principal of Valle Crucis School located in Sugar Grove, NC prior to the 2014-2015 school year and remained in that position until July of 2019 when I was named Principal of Lincolnton High School. After spending two years at Lincolnton High School, I was fortunate enough to join the Catawba County School system as Principal of Bunker Hill High School on June 14, 2021.  

Education

B.S in History Secondary Education and Health Education K-12 - Appalachian State University 2006

M.A in School Administration - Western Carolina University 2014

Doctoral Candidate - East Tennessee State University 2021

Why I became an Educator

I became an educator because public education has played a tremendous role in my life. I wanted the opportunity to pay it forward and have a positive impact on students the same way that many educators had an impact on me and my life. 

Favorite place in Catawba County

My favorite place in Catawba County is Bunker Hill High School because it has become my home. 

Favorite activities

Watching Sports, attending sporting events, hanging out with family/friends, reading, and working out. 

Something unique about you

I love to BBQ

Why do you want to be a part of this community 

The Bunker Hill High School community is tight knit, compassionate, and inclusive. I consider it a privilege to be apart of this community and be the Principal at BHHS. 

 

Meet Shannon Hollar, Assistant Principal

 

Experience

This is my tenth year in education. I have experience in kindergarten, 1st, 4th, and 5th grade. I have taught all subjects. My favorite subject to teach was English and Social Studies. 

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University 

Masters degree in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University

Why I became an educator

I watched my father work in education my entire life and it inspired me to go into teaching. I had two outstanding teachers in high school that encouraged me to go into education. After working in education for a few years, I started taking on more responsibilities and I quickly realized I wanted to lead in a larger capacity in administration. 

Favorite place in Catawba County

My favorite place in Catawba County is my father in law’s farm. My family and I enjoy feeding the animals and spending time together. We love being outdoors spending time together. 

Favorite Activities

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. We love spending time at the beach.  

Something unique about me

Something that is unique to me is I love developing my own photographs and creating pottery in my free time. 

Why I want to be a part of this community

Bunker Hill community is a wonderful place to live and be a part of. This community is a special place and very tight knit. I am blessed to be a part of this community. 

 

 

Meet E. James Byrd, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director

Joined Team CCS - July 2017

Experience
I taught secondary English and coached track and field at North Wilkes High School (my alma mater) for nine years before moving to Catawba County. While teaching English at Bunker Hill, I coached wrestling at River Bend Middle School, and assisted with the Bear track team. I spent four years as assistant principal at North Wilkes Middle School before coming back to BHHS as assistant principal and athletic director.

Education 
BSEd (German), Western Carolina University
MAT (English), Appalachian State University
Principal Licensure Add-On--Gardner-Webb University

Why I Became an Educator 
It seems that fate deemed for me to have a role in education. My mother was a substitute teacher turned teacher's assistant, and both she and my father led Sunday School classes and taught Vacation Bible School. From my mother, I learned classroom management, and from my father, I learned the value of teaching young people to conduct research rather than just  give them an answer. 

I had a myriad of insightful, inspirational, and influential instructors throughout my education, and each of them (ranging from the kindergarten teacher who challenged me to learn the names of all of the presidents, to the college professor who explained to me that talent could only get a person so far) played major roles in guiding me into this field. 

Favorite Place in Catawba County
I am growing to love River Bend Park. Though it is small compared to other hiking venues, it is laid out to where a person can have a wide variety of hikes in terms of surface and difficulty.  

Favorite Activities
I enjoy wandering about--whether that is hiking in a park, or just meandering around places like downtown Conover. There is so much of the world missed when driving by it that walking allows one to experience. In addition, I recently have taken up the ukulele, which is great because it gives my daughter the opportunity to teach me skills as she improves her own.

Something Unique About Me
I have a BSEd in German.

After having served as a teacher at Bunker Hill High from 2010-2013, I knew it to be a school that provides a welcoming environment for both its students and its staff members. I am very fortunate that I have the opportunity to be part of this community once more as assistant principal and athletic director.