Data Manager and Registrar

Kristin Boone has been with Gaston County Schools since 1999. She started in the finance department, and after 2 years, moved to Bessemer City High School as a data manager. In January 2021, she moved to her alma mater, North Gaston. She loves being around students and seeing how much they grow in 4 years, hearing their plans for their future, and encouraging them to achieve their goals. She enjoys attending football games and is very involved in the community.  "I love loving people, and seeing them succeed." 

9th Grade Counselor

Counselor Referral Form

Lynn Glover was born and raised in Gaston County and is a 1982 graduate of North Gaston High School. After graduation, she attended Appalachian State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in School Counseling. Most of Mrs. Glover's 28 years of experience has been in middle school counseling, working at W.C. Friday, York Chester, Grier, Warlick School and Bessemer City Middle. She was also involved in the launching of the Leadership Pathway at North Gaston by teaching Teen Leadership Development courses and coordinating the school-wide leadership initiative.

Mrs. Glover is married to her high school sweetheart and has a 20-year-old daughter, McKenzie, who is also a North Gaston graduate. Mrs. Glover loves spending time with her family, traveling with her sisters, playing handbells and singing in the choir at her church, gardening and canning the things she grows!

Last Names: A - G

Counselor Referral Form

Katie Eckert was born and raised in Massachusetts. She attended Western New England University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Springfield College where she received her Masters of Arts in School Counseling. After graduating school in 2016, she moved to North Carolina and started working in Gaston County Schools. She spent 6 years at Hunter Huss before coming over to North Gaston in 2022. In 2020 Ms. Eckert attended Appalachian State University and received an add-on degree in school leadership. She has loved being a part of the North Gaston community and working with high school students in Gaston County over the years.

In her free time she enjoys being outside, going to the lake, and spending time with her family, friends, niece and nephew. 

Last Names: H - M

Counselor Referral Form

Sharae Powell graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She attended Capella University where she obtained her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. For years, Ms. Powell worked with at-risk youth, and has some experience with substance abuse counseling. Wanting to try her hand at something new, she recently earned a Certificate in School Counseling from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her daughter.

Last Names: N - Z

Counselor Referral Form

David Rice is originally from Pennsylvania. He attended Geneva College, a little college in Beaver Falls, PA right outside of Pittsburgh. There he earned his Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in School Counseling. Mr. Rice spent the last 7 years at Ashbrook High School working as a school counselor. In 2021, he won the Counselor of the Year award, and has been enjoying his time in Gaston County. Mr. Rice is very excited to join the North Gaston team and be able to work along side a brilliant team to help impact the lives of students and the community at North Gaston. 

Mr. Rice is married to his wife Alexandra and has two children, Logan and Gwen. Mr. Rice loves spending time with his family, playing any kind of board or card game, as well as spending time outside. He especially loves being in nature and going for hikes. This past summer, he went backpacking for the first time and loved it! He has started doing North Carolina's Mountain to Sea trail in small sections and is looking forward to slowly completing the trail across North Carolina. 

Graduation Coach

Counselor Referral Form

Mandi Payne was raised in Dallas and graduated from North Gaston High School in 1995. After high school, Mrs. Payne attended UNC Charlotte where she received her bachelor's in Social Work. She has been a school social worker for Gaston County Schools for the past 15 years.  Mrs. Payne is excited to be back in Dallas and working in the community she grew up in.

Mrs. Payne lives in McAdenville with her husband, Ronnie, and son Gavin.  They also have a son, Jackson, currently living in Boone and attending Appalachian State.  In her spare time, she loves adventures with her family, taking walks with her dog Boone, or reading books.