BATH — Former Chocowinity Primary School Assistant Principal Spencer Pake took over as principal at Bath Elementary School.

Pake’s first day was July 11, and he spent his first week working with now-former Principal Brian Swain to make a smooth transition. Swain only served as Bath Elementary’s principal for a few years, but he worked in other positions there for about 30 years.

Pake previously worked as an assistant principal at Chocowinity Primary for eight years. He also coaches the Washington High School Swim Team, and led the team to its two-consecutive state championship titles in 2016 and 2017.

“I’m real excited to, you know, have the opportunity to go be the principal at Bath Elementary,” Pake said. “Chocowinity Primary was family for eight years, and I had a lot of good working relationships with a lot of great people there.”

Born and raised in Washington, Pake is right at home in Beaufort County, and he said his job in Chocowinity prepared him for this next step.

Pake said he learned a lot during the past eight years, from both the Chocowinity Primary staff and Principal Alicia Vosburgh. He said he is excited for his transition into another great school.

“It has been a wonderful experience to work with him and see him grow as an educator. Bath is fortunate to have someone coming that will be dedicated and knowledgeable about the curriculum goals that our county and state has set for students,” Vosburgh wrote in an email. “He will be a valued asset and supporter of their school.”

Vosburgh said there is a new assistant principal lined up for the position, but Beaufort County Schools will not announce the name until the Beaufort County Board of Education approves the change Tuesday night.

“I’m looking forward to getting there and learning the staff and learning how things go,” Pake said of starting the new school year. “I’m excited to go and start a new chapter in my life.”