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 Brian Lewis, Assistant Principal

I came to CCS in January 2021 as an administrator with Online Catawba. 

Experience

I have taught numerous CTE courses during my first 11 years in education. I have spent the last 10 years as a high school administrator at Alexander Central High School. I received my National Board Certification in 2008 and renewal in 2017. 

Education

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in History Education from Lenoir-Rhyne College, a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology and an add-on license in School Administration from Appalachian State University.

Why I became an educator

My main purpose in life is to be a good Christian role model for my children to learn from as they grow up. My purpose is to also help and serve others in whatever ways I can with the talents, skill sets, and experiences I have been blessed with throughout my career. Teaching was the avenue that allowed me to accomplish these goals and. Do something I loved at the same time.

Favorite place in Catawba County

Lenoir-Rhyne’s gym. The gym is where I learned life lessons that built character and truly taught me that you can push past what your mind tells you is your limit.

Favorite Activities

I love spending time with my family (wife and four children) outside of school, especially being outdoors in a fly fishing stream or hunting deer and turkey.

Something unique about you

I love tying flies, creating new patterns that work on trout and smallmouth in  our mountain streams.

Why you want to be a part of this community

The small town atmosphere where people go out of their way to help others is something I truly want to be a part of. Bunker Hill doesn’t just talk about this, they live it daily.

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.