Washington native Misty Walker was named Washington High School’s new principal during a June 30 Beaufort County Board of Education meeting.

Walker said she taught at Northside High School early in her career and has worked her way from the classroom to school-level administration and district-level positions. During that time, she served as principal in Guilford County Schools and Elkin City Schools.

“I was a high-school math teacher at Northside High School,” Walker said. “I was encouraged to pursue a Master’s degree in Administration and that’s when I began working in other systems and gained the necessary experience to come back and lead the school to excellence.”

Walker is coming back from a position with the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District as director of secondary education, according to a Beaufort County Schools press release. Walker said she still has family in the area and she has been watching for an opportunity to come back to her home district. She graduated from Washington High School in 1990.

“I’m looking forward to returning,” Walker said. “There’s a strong tradition of excellence in Washington. It’s a great high school.”

Walker’s primary focus as principal will be on preparing students with the academic and soft skills needed after high school. She said she belives Beaufort County Community College will aid with that. She will be looking at the strengths and weaknesses of the school and wants the community, faculty and staff, students and herself to come together as a team to improve, she said.

“Washington High School has a very strong partnership with the college, which is a truly tremendous resource for our students,” Walker said. “I look forward to working with teachers and parents, especially in the business community to help it grow.”

Walker’s appointment to the position was a result of her predecessor, Russell Holloman, resigning at the end of this school year. Beaufort County Schools’ officials declined to comment about why Holloman left.

BCS Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps did, however, comment on Walker being named the new principal of the school. Her start date has not yet been announced, according to the release.

“Misty has a strong and varied background,” Phipps said. “She brings a great deal of experience in areas that will greatly benefit Washington High School. We are very excited to have a product of this system join the Beaufort County Schools team.”