Eastern Elementary School recently welcomed a new principal.

As of July 1, Seth Smith took over at the helm, following Melissa Dana’s four-year tenure at the Washington school.

Smith has worked as an educator in the eastern North Carolina area for more than 15 years. He has worked at both the elementary and middle school levels.

Smith received a bachelor’s degree from Wingate University and a master’s degree from Western Carolina University. He is also pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at East Carolina University.

According to his school website biography, Smith spent his early years in South America and Central America, as his parents were missionaries. He moved to western North Carolina at the age of 10.

“I believe Seth will be a great addition to our administrative staff. His background and personality are well suited for Eastern Elementary,” Superintendent Dr. Don Phipps said. “His strengths and skills will endear him the students, faculty and staff, parents and community very quickly.”

Former principal, Dana resigned from Eastern Elementary after almost 25 years working in Beaufort County Schools. She began her career teaching at Northeast Elementary School, and then was promoted years later to administrative positions at Northeast and S.W. Snowden Elementary before coming to Eastern.

In a statement, Dana said, “I resigned from BCS for personal and professional reasons, and my future plans involve work outside of Beaufort County.”

Smith said he and his family are still living in Craven County right now, but he is ready to get to know the community in Beaufort County.

“I am very excited to be a part of the Eastern Elementary School family, and I’m just looking very forward to serving the students of Washington and Beaufort County,” Smith said. “I’m definitely looking forward to becoming a part of the community.”

Eastern Elementary is one of seven elementary schools in the Beaufort County Schools district. It serves students in pre-kindergarten through first grade.

A previous version of this article stated Melissa Dana did not respond to a request for comment. The phone number contacted was incorrect, so she never received the message. We are happy to clarify the situation.