Meet Lee Miller, Principal

Joined Team CCS - August 1995

Experience
I have worked in public education for 25 years. I started as a Social Studies teacher at Saint Stephens High School. After three years I moved to Bunker Hill High. I taught and coached at Bunker Hill for 8 years before moving into the role as Assistant Principal. In 2014, I was blessed to be named the principal at H.M. Arndt Middle School. I spent four wonderful years with the devoted staff at Arndt. In 2018, I returned "home" to become the principal at Bunker Hill High. The opportunity to be the principal of my Alma Mater is a dream come true. 

Education 
B.A. History, Catawba College  
Masters of School Administration, Appalachian State University 

Why I Became an Educator 
Sheila Miller (mother), Randy Faucette (teacher/coach), Jim Woodruff (teacher/coach), Marty Curtis (teacher/coach), Steve Hilton (principal), Marvin Miller (teacher), and Dennis Cloer (teacher); all of these people had a tremendous influence on my decision to be an educator. My mother worked at Claremont Elementary for many years and was the greatest influence. The teachers and coaches always provided guidance that played a vital role in my life.  

Favorite Place in Catawba County
My favorite place in Catawba County is Claremont. Claremont is home. It's where I rode the streets on my bicycle as a kid and played football on the church lawn with all my buddies. It's where we all hung out while in high school. And it is where my wife and I wanted to raise our family.   
Favorite Activities
My favorite activities are reading, fly fishing, and listening to the Avett Brothers.

Something Unique About Me
I was the New Year's Baby for Catawba County in 1972.

I am a product of Catawba County Schools. As a student here, I had many teachers who influenced my life in positive ways. It was my desire to come back to Catawba County and hopefully have a positive impact on the lives of young people.

Meet Jenni Frye,, Assistant Principal

Joined Team CCS - October 2020

Experience 

 I have been in education for the past 21 years. I had the privilege of teaching theatre arts for 20 years. I taught Theatre Arts at Bunker Hill from 2017 to 2019. During the 2019-2020 school year I served as the Assistant Principal at Davenport A+ Elementary in Lenoir, NC. In the fall of 2020 I achieved the opportunity to come back to Bunker Hill as an Assistant Principal. I am thrilled and honored to be back at the ‘Hill”! 

Education :

 B.S. in Theatre Education, East Carolina University

Masters of School Administration, Appalachian State University

Why I Became an Educator
When I was a student in high school I knew I wanted to do something that would make a difference.  I loved the arts and how theatre arts can encourage kids to explore their dreams and become well-rounded and creative individuals.  Once I began working on my theatre education degree in college I was hooked on teaching.  I am honored I now get to impact kids' lives on a bigger scale as a school administrator.

Favorite Place in Catawba County The Hickory YMCA. I love being able to swim and watch my daughter swim with her team. 

Favorite Activities
Spending time with my family and friends, swimming, and reading.

Something Unique About Me
I am a member of the Hickory Masters Swim Team.

 

I joined CCS because it is a special place to work  and to go to school.  As a part of the CCS team, you feel a constant sense of community and belonging.

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.