Meet Jessica Minton-Cable, Principal

Joined Team CCS - August 2004

 Experience

I have spent the last 22 years in public education.  After graduating from Fred T. Foard High School I attended Lees McRae College in Banner Elk on a tennis and skiing scholarship.  I transferred after two years to Lenoir Rhyne College where I double majored in K-12 Deaf Education and K-6 Elementary Education.  Upon graduation I began my teaching career in 2002 at Oak Hill School in Caldwell County.  In 2004 I transferred to Catawba County Schools where I began teaching 6th grade at Blackburn.  While at Blackburn I began working on my Masters in School Administration through Appalachian State University and then became the Assistant Principal at Jacobs Fork Middle School for two years.  I later transferred to Mountain View Elementary where I served as Assistant Principal for six years and one year as an Interim Principal.  In 2015 I was honored to be named the Principal of Blackburn Elementary School.  

 Education 

B.S. K-6 Elementary Education, Lenoir Rhyne College, Hickory, NC

B.S. K-12 Deaf Education, Lenoir Rhyne College, Hickory, NC

Masters of School Administration, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 

 Why I Became an Educator

Unlike many educators, education was not a path I dreamed of before attending college.  When I went to college I had to select a career path so I selected education hoping I would figure out what I wanted to be one day. Many of the courses I started with were good for many different majors.  When I transferred from Lees McRae to Lenoir Rhyne I decided to stick with education and wanted to focus on educating hearing impaired students.  I quickly learned of my passion for educating and inspiring children.  I never thought I would one day end up being a principal of an elementary school, but God led me to lead and I am blessed to serve.  

 Something Unique About Me

Growing up my parents allowed my brother, sister, and I to play any sports, participate in dance, take piano lessons, and also participate in rodeos.  Some of my fondest memories as a child were from barrel racing and goat wrestling.  Another activity my family enjoyed in the winter was going snow skiing in the mountains of North Carolina.  When I started at Lees McRae College, I was able to join their ski team along with playing collegiate level tennis.  

 Anything Else You Want Us To Know? 

The Foard Feeder is a special place to work and a place I consider HOME!  I live in Caldwell County with my husband, Monte, our two girls Pyper and Paisley, and our two dogs Lucky and Murphy.  When the girls aren’t keeping us on the go with playing soccer I enjoy working out, running, and just hanging out with our friends and family.

Meet Ashley Adams, Assistant Principal

Joined Team CCS - August 2002 

Experience
I am beginning my 23rd year in Public Education. I started my career as a 2nd grade teacher at Mountain View  Elementary in Hickory, North Carolina. While at Mountain View I taught 2nd and 3rd grade and ended my time there as an Academic Facilitator.   I am excited to be an Assistant Principal at Blackburn Elementary School. 

Education 
B.S. Elementary Education, Appalachian State University 
M.A. Elementary Education, Appalachian State University 
Post Masters Certification, Western Carolina University

I am also a National Board Certified Teacher. 

Why I Became an Educator 
I knew I wanted to be an educator even back to when I was a child. I would constantly play school with my baby dolls and friends. The desire to make a difference in children's lives never left. Students come to school each day eager to learn and it is our job as educators to keep that fire alive. I truly enjoy watching a student gain a new skill, master an academic concept, make a new friend, or find the confidence they were lacking.    

Favorite Activities
My favorite hobby is working out. I also love to spend time with my husband and twin daughters. 

One Cool Fact I was part of the ground breaking ceremony at Blackburn Middle (as Student Council President) when it was decided to be renovated into an elementary school. 

Meet our Academic Facilitator, Ashley Lowman!

Joined Team CCS - I began my career in CCS in 2013.

Education - I attended Western Carolina University for both my Bachelors in Elementary Education and my Masters in Elementary Education Reading Specialist.

Why I Choose This Job - I love being an Academic Facilitator and helping to support both students and teachers. I wear many hats in my role, but my goal is all the same - to help students and teachers feel successful. 

Favorite Place in Catawba County - My family and I love visiting downtown Hickory. We enjoy the shops, restaurants, and atmosphere of our town. 

Favorite Activities - Binge watching TV shows, reading books, shopping & spending time with my family. 

Anything Else You Want Us To Know? - I have been married to my husband for 6 years, but we are high school sweethearts. We have 2 beautiful children and a puppy. We love spending time together as a family and enjoy many adventures in our spare time. I am so excited to be joining Blackburn Elementary and back in my home feeder! Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat!

 

 

Meet our  Data Manager, Michele Fox!

I joined CCS in August 2005.

Education - Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Villa Maria College, Erie, PA 1984

Favorite Pace in Catawba County - My back porch.  We have amazing sunset views!

Favorite Activities - Crossfit, hiking and antiquing

Anything else you want us to know?  I am a 12 year cancer survivor!!! I have been married for 39 years to my high school sweetheart - Keith. I have 2 grown sons and 3 grandchildren. 

Meet our  Counselor, Honey Lee!

Joined Team CCS : I joined CCS in April 2017. 

Education: I graduated from UNC-Charlotte for my BA degree & Appalachian State for my  MA degree.  

Why I Choose This Job: I chose this job because I always knew God gave me a heart of compassion and empathy for others. 

Favorite Place in Catawba County: My favorite place in Catawba County is Lake Hickory.

Favorite Activities: My favorite activities are gardening, relaxing with loved ones, and playing my guitar. 

Meet our School Nurse, Bekah Herndon!

Education - I have a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego.

Favorite Places in Catawba County - Tasteful Beans Coffee and Tea Shop is a great place to read a book, and Baker's Mountain is great for hiking.

Favorite Activities - I love to read and garden - my husband and I have a flower patch and a vegetable garden, and nearly 2,500 books!

Anything else you want us to know? - I have been a nurse for over 7 years in all sorts of specialties, but school health is my favorite so far!

Meet our Secretary, Andrea McLean!

Joined Team CCS - April 2020

Education - I attended Saginaw State University in Michigan.

Why I Choose This Job - Originally I went to school to be a teacher but realized it was not for me. I love the school atmosphere and being around the students and this job allows me to still enjoy both. 

Favorite Activities - Reading, Traveling to the Beach, Working Out, watching my kids grow in all their favorite activities 

Meet our  SRO, Jacob Faltermayer!

 

Joined Team CCS:  I became an SRO in 2023. Prior to that I started my Law Enforcement career in 2010 at the Catawba County Sheriffs Office. 

Education : Basic Law Enforcement Training and numerous other courses through the North Carolina Justice academy 

Why I Choose This Job:  When I was younger I wanted to be a police officer and shortly into my Law Enforcement career I knew one day I would want to become a School Resource Officer.  Around 2016 I started a farm summer camp working with youth. During Covid we shut the camp down permanently. Becoming an SRO allowed me to continue to work with youth and has been one of the best decisions in my career. 

Favorite Place in Catawba County: My Favorite place in Catawba County would have to be my backyard. If I could be anywhere it would be just at home.

Favorite Activities: If I could do one thing all day long it would be to ride my dirt bikes. But I also love playing with my daughter, riding our horses, mountain bikes and hiking. While working on our farm is more like a second job, it can be quite satisfying.