Thomas Academy Public Charter School is excited to announce its new principal, Melissa Clark. A veteran teacher and administrator from Charlotte Mecklenburg and Cabarrus County school systems, Clark retired and moved to Whiteville a year and a half ago to be closer to her sister-in-law and help with her tax business. Thomas Academy serves Columbus County students in grades 3-12 and is located on the campus of Boys & Girls Homes of NC in Lake Waccamaw.

“I’ve missed being with the kids and working with teachers,” she said. 

As a high school English teacher for 15 years and then a testing coordinator, assistant principal and dean of students until her retirement in 2021, Clark understands how important evidence-based literacy and math initiatives and focusing on skills-based learning is for students today. 

After teaching at schools with more than 2,500 students, Clark said she was excited to come to Thomas Academy where class sizes are smaller and the attention is on individualized education. 

“We can’t just teach curriculum. We have to teach students and meet them where they are,” she added. “I want to know the kids very well so I know how to address the kids with compassion. I want to have rules and hold rules, but I believe in talking and working it out.”

Keeping morale high for teachers and students is important to Clark.

“I think teachers, students and families want to be heard and know you’re supporting them,” Clark said. “I need to inspect what I expect – be constantly checking that we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing. Having an open door policy and being supportive of everybody. I hope to be in the community and working with the civic organizations to meet and greet so they get to know me as well.” 

You can meet Melissa Clark at Thomas Academy’s Take-a-Peek at Your Schedule Ice Cream Social 4-5:30 p.m. on Aug. 20 in the Pavilion next to Thomas Academy Middle School.

Details: 910-646-2237 or to enroll go to https://www.thomasacademync.org/