Superintendent surprises finalists for Gaston County Principal of the Year

During special school visits on February 16, Superintendent of Schools W. Jeffrey Booker surprised the five finalists for Gaston County Principal of the Year 2023-2024.

Each year, five outstanding school leaders are recognized for going above and beyond expectations to create an environment of excellence for students, teachers, staff, and parents.  The Principal of the Year finalists are selected by their peers. 

The 2023-2024 Gaston County Principal of the Year will be announced in May as part of the Evening of Excellence ceremony.  The current Gaston County Principal of the Year is Kristin Kiser of Lowell Elementary School. 

The five finalists for Principal of the Year are:

▪ Justin Beam of North Belmont Elementary School.  Beam is a product of Gaston County Schools and graduated from Cherryville High School.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree from UNC-Asheville and earned a master’s degree in school administration from UNC-Charlotte.  He began his teaching career at Cherryville High School, later served as a teacher at Ashbrook High School, and then was the instructional technology facilitator for the Ashbrook feeder area.  Prior to being named principal at John Chavis Middle School, he served as the Health Sciences Academy coordinator and an assistant principal at Highland School of Technology.

▪ Dr. Bryan Denton of Hunter Huss High School.  Denton is a product of Gaston County Schools and graduated from South Point High School.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Wake Forest University as well as a master’s degree in school administration and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Gardner-Webb University.  He began his career as a social studies teacher at South Point High School.  In 2006, he began his administrative career as an assistant principal at W.C. Friday Middle School, and he previously served as the principal at John Chavis Middle School and Cramerton Middle School.

▪ Jessica Steiner of Stuart W. Cramer High School.  Steiner has spent 22 years in education, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal.  She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Florida in special education and a master’s degree from Winthrop University.  She is currently working on her doctorate from Appalachian State University.  She began her teaching career in Florida.  For the past 14 years, she has worked as an administrator in Gaston County Schools and previously served as principal at Holbrook Middle School and Cramerton Middle School.

▪ Jaime Wallace of Brookside Elementary.  Wallace began her career in Gaston County Schools as a fourth grade teacher at Bessemer City Central Elementary.  She graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education.  In addition, she earned a Master of Arts degree in school administration from Gardner-Webb University.  She has served as an assistant principal in Gaston County Schools and most recently was the principal at Gardner Park Elementary.

▪ Dr. Sheila Wyont of Bessemer City High School.  Wyont is a product of Gaston County Schools and graduated from Bessemer City High School.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from UNC-Greensboro and a master’s degree in school administration and curriculum instruction from UNC-Charlotte.  In addition, she obtained a doctoral degree from Gardner-Webb University in educational leadership.  After teaching for 12 years, she served as an assistant principal at Bessemer City High School before being appointed the principal of the Early College at Bessemer City High School.  She also served as the principal of the Gaston Early College High School, which is located on the Gaston College campus in Dallas.