The Durham Public Schools Board of Education taps new school and district leaders.
Kenneth Barnes
Interim Principal
Southern School of Energy and Sustainability
Kenneth Barnes, a veteran educator and Durham Public Schools retiree, has been tapped to return to Southern School of Energy and Sustainability as interim principal for the 2024-2025 school year after the retirement of longtime principal Jerome Leathers. Barnes has more than 27 years as a teacher, principal, and administrator, and has answered every call to serve as a principal coach and interim administrator for nearly three years since his retirement.
Barnes served as Southern’s principal from 2008 through 2014.
Barnes is a North Carolina Central University graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He’s also earned a 6-9 Middle School Mathematics certification; a Master’s in School Administration from North Carolina Central; and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from N.C. State.
“I am honored to return to work alongside our Southern educators, families, and community. I look forward to serving our students and celebrating their achievements this year,” said Barnes.
Dr. Ayesha Hunter
Senior Executive Director for Employee Relations
Dr. Ayesha Hunter brings 28 years of experience as an educator and human resource administrator to the district’s role as its new Senior Executive Director of Employee Relations.
Hunter's seasoned leadership has included providing human resource guidance, advice, and assistance to district administrators, overseeing the international teachers program, ensuring timely work visa processing for 86 international teachers, offering assistance in securing housing and local resources, and building a supportive community for teachers. In her previous role, she was committed to timely and thorough new hire onboarding (teacher induction), and redesigned the international teacher onboarding process to boost professional and cultural success. She also developed proactive approaches to teacher and staff retention, collaborating with and training principals on employee relations and handling workplace challenges to ensure favorable outcomes and minimize risk.
Dr. Hunter is a Winthrop University graduate with a BA in Education. She also holds a master’s in Education and an Ed.S. from South Carolina State University. She holds nine certifications in topics of expertise including education, DEI, and Title IX, and holds membership in the Society for Human Resource Management, the American Association of School Personnel Administrators, and the Pee Dee HR Management Association.
"The opportunity to work with DPS is an honor and privilege, and I look forward to working with staff and the community."
Dr. Linda Tugurian
Executive Director for Elementary School Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Linda Tugurian has been named to this new role of Executive Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction. She joined Durham Public Schools in 1994 and has served in a number of roles, beginning as a teacher at R.N. Harris and Forest View Elementary Schools. She joined central services in 2014 as a Science Curriculum Specialist and currently serves as Executive Director of K-12 Curriculum and Instruction.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming the new Executive Directors to our team and continuing my work in curriculum and instruction. This will heighten the impact of our work on student achievement and the teachers and schools we serve,” said Tugurian.
She received her PhD in Science Education from NC State University and holds a master’s degree from Cornell University in Science and Environmental Education. She is a certified environmental educator in North Carolina and received National Board certification in Early Adolescence Science in 2003.
Gabrielle Hall
Executive Director for Middle School Curriculum and Instruction
Gabrielle Hall joins the district as Executive Director for Middle School Curriculum and Instruction. She brings several years' experience as a building level administrator with deep knowledge and expertise in successful implementation and oversight of curriculum. She comes to DPS from the Alamance Burlington School System where she serves as Principal of Western Alamance Middle School. She has also worked in Guilford County Schools as an Assistant Principal and Curriculum Facilitator.
"I am both honored and thrilled to join Durham Public Schools as the new Executive Director for Middle School Curriculum and Instruction," said Hall. "My goal is to authentically contribute to the character, vision, and mission of excellence already solidified by those who have come before me. As we strive for excellence, I pledge to leverage my skills, background, and knowledge to foster opportunities for collaboration and innovation. I firmly believe in the power of unity, and by working together as a cohesive team in DPS, we can continue to pave the way for success for our students."
Hall received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from UNC-Greensboro and a master’s in educational administration from the University of South Carolina.
Crystal Taylor-Simon
Executive Director for High School Curriculum and Instruction
Crystal Taylor-Simon has accepted the position of Executive Director for High School Curriculum and Instruction. She has more than 19 years of educational service as a principal, assistant principal, instructional coach, and teacher. In her most recent post, she served successfully as principal of Middle College at Durham Community Technical College, which was named a School of Distinction for multiple years and also designated as a School of Excellence.
Recognized as a strong leader among her principal peers, Taylor-Simon is a UNC-Chapel Hill graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and a minor in journalism and mass communication. She is a double graduate of East Carolina University, with an MSA and an MAEd.
She has a proven track record in improving student achievement, enhancing professional development, and fostering a collaborative school culture.
In her new role, she will share her knowledge of data-driven decision-making, strategic planning, and innovative instructional strategies with her colleagues and empower them with a focus on equity and excellence in education.
“I am absolutely honored to become the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for High Schools in Durham Public Schools. I am excited to play a critical role in shaping the educational experiences and outcomes for high school students within the district. My goal is to work closely with teachers, principals, district leaders, and the community to build consensus and support for curriculum initiatives. I envision walking through classrooms and seeing all students engaged in rigorous, relevant and equitable learning opportunities which will support the goals outlined in Priority 1 of the DPS Strategic Plan,” said Taylor-Simon.
April Washington
Director of Exceptional Children’s Pre-K
April Washington becomes DPS’s Director of Exceptional Children’s Pre-K, effective August 9. She has served as a Pre-K instructional coach for the last 10 years in DPS and has significant understanding of DPS’s Exceptional Children’s Pre-K department. Her proven track record and experience has prepared her to join the leadership team in the district’s Exceptional Children’s department.
"I am thrilled to embark on this new journey as the Pre-K EC Director," said Washington." The opportunity to continue to nurture young minds and shape their early educational experiences fills me with immense excitement and joy. I can’t wait to collaborate with such a dedicated team and make a positive impact on our youngest learners’ lives."
Washington began her career as a kindergarten teacher in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. She has taught Pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade in DPS. She earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from Appalachian State University and a Master of Education in early childhood intervention from UNC Chapel-Hill.
