Teal is new Southern High School principal; McDonald is new AD; Wilson will lead Neal

DURHAM—Rodriguez A. Teal, Principal of Neal Middle School, has been named Principal of Southern High School. He replaces Larry D. McDonald, who will serve as the new Athletics Director for Durham Public Schools. Eastway Elementary School Principal Myron Wilson will replace Teal as Principal of Neal. Teal has been principal of Neal since 2001. Prior to coming to Neal, he served as principal of W.G. Pearson Elementary School for more than two years. He had also previously served as assistant principal at Brogden Middle School, and was a Pearson teacher for several years. He has also worked as a math/science coordinator for the National Youth Sport Program held at North Carolina Central University and as summer school principal at Durham School of the Arts. “I will greatly miss the Neal students, teachers and families, but serving as a high school principal will be a wonderful opportunity for me,” said Teal. “I am motivated by the potential that exists for accomplishing great things with the Southern High School students, faculty, parents and community supporters as we strive to increase achievement levels for all students.” Teal earned his N.C. Teacher Certification and Master’s degree in Education Administration from NCCU, graduating with honors from both programs. He also received his B.A. in Public Administration from NCCU. Wilson has been Principal of Eastway since January 2000. During his tenure the school rose from being deemed low-performing by the state ABCs Accountability designations to becoming an expected School of Distinction for the 2003-04 school year. Before coming to Eastway Wilson was an assistant principal at Woodlawn Middle School for four years, and was an elementary school teacher in Orange County Schools. “I am proud of the wonderful work that the students, teachers, parents and community partners have accomplished at Eastway,” said Wilson. “I will miss them all very much, but look forward to the challenges and opportunities that will come with being principal of Neal Middle School.” -more-Wilson holds a master’s degree in education administration from North Carolina Central University and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Winston-Salem State University. “Rod Teal’s commitment to high quality instruction and discipline will serve the Southern community very well. He is a proven leader who is fully devoted to increased student achievement through his expertise and his dedication to excellence,” said Superintendent Ann T. Denlinger. “Myron Wilson’s wonderful success at Eastway has prepared him well to serve the Neal community. I am convinced that these leaders are well positioned to take these schools to the next level of achievement.” Star Sampson, an Assistant Principal at Eastway will serve as the school’s interim principal while a search committee begins the process for Wilson’s replacement. McDonald has served as principal of Southern High School since 2001. Prior to that, he was principal of Northwood High School in Chatham County Schools for two years. Before that he was associate principal at Orange High School in Hillsborough for two years. He had previously served as associate principal at A.L. Stanback Middle School in Hillsborough. He was also a teacher and coach at the high school level for a number of years in the Cumberland County and Wake County school systems during the 1980s and 1990s, and served a three-year tenure as an assistant professor and coach at Winston-Salem State University, and three years as an instructor and coach at NCCU. “I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the Southern High School community, but the ability to spend all of my time working with coaches and athletes was a great opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up,” said McDonald. “This promises to be a fulfilling experience, and I look forward to it.” McDonald holds a Master’s degree in education from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor of science degree from Fayetteville State University. “Larry McDonald brings a fantastic background as teacher, administrator and coach to the position of Athletics Director,” said Patrick Rhodes, Executive Director of High Schools. “He is a perfect match for this role, and I look forward to working with him as he builds on the great program that Tommy Parker began years ago.” Parker left the AD position earlier this month to pursue teaching and coaching at Northern High School. ###