DURHAM -- DeShawna C. Gooch, an administrator in the Office of Advanced Academics in Durham Public Schools and a former high school administrator, has been named principal at Chewning Year-Round Middle School.
Gooch replaces Alexis Spann who opened the 2009-10 year at Chewning in July as interim principal. Chewning is a year-round school, so classes actually started in July. Spann reportedly declined to stay on in a permanent capacity.
Gooch has been Coordinator of College Access Programs for the district for the past year. Before that she was Assistant Principal of Holly Springs High School in the Wake County Public School System for four years.
She simultaneously has served as an instructor of education courses at Durham Technical Community College for the past two years. Before her tenure at Holly Springs, Gooch was an academic adviser at N.C. State University. She taught math at Shepard IB Magnet Middle School in Durham for three years.
"Working at the school level is my first love and I am very much looking forward to working with the teachers, students, parents and community of Chewning Middle School," said Gooch. "Together we will provide the safe and engaging learning environment needed for students to achieve academic success."
Gooch holds a master's degree in school administration from N.C. State University and two bachelors' degrees -- one in math education and one in psychology -- from N.C.Central University.
"Experience as an advanced academics administrator, middle school teacher and advisor makes for a richly textured background that has prepared DeShawna Gooch well for her role as principal of Chewning Middle School," said Superintendent Carl E. Harris. "We are very much looking forward to the enthusiasm, energy and many creative ideas she will bring to the table in her efforts to work with students and families to increase achievement levels."
Gooch said after having her appointment unanimously approved by the school board: "As a product of Durham Public Schools, I'm honored to give back to the community that has given me so much."
Gooch also said of DPS officials and teachers who supported her: "They taught me how to dream, and it's my dream to teach my students at Chewning Middle School that they can achieve their dream like I did."
Staff writer Matthew E. Milliken contributed to this report.
