The torch will be passed from one illustrious Kinston family name to another in June.
Maya Leonard Swinson recently was selected to head Rochelle Middle School and will take over for the five-year principal, Nicholas Harvey II, who is often credited for the school’s turnaround.
Swinson said her new position will be a challenge but feels — with her background — she can gain the trust of the city.
“One of my plans is to be visible in the community and let them know that (Rochelle) is our community school,” she said. “I already have a good working relationship with parents in the community.”
Swinson was a Rochelle teacher for eight years before starting her master’s degree through the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program at ECU in 2009. She has been the assistant principal of Creekside Elementary School in Craven County for two years.
“One of the things that I missed when I left teaching was not knowing the kids,” said Swinson, who taught language arts during her tenure at Rochelle. “Even though I’m an administrator, I’m a teacher at heart. I know what it’s like to be in the trenches, and I’m going to keep that in the forefront of my mind.”
Lenoir County Schools Superintendent Steve Mazingo said Swinson encompasses the strong instructional ability the system was seeking. An interview team chose her out of five candidates.
“She, I think, will be able to continue to move the school forward from an instructional point of view,” Mazingo said. “She’s very, very tied to the community and to the school. She has the skill set that we’re looking for in terms of being able to do what’s right for the school.”
Swinson, a Washington, D.C., native and Morgan State University graduate, said Kinston is home to her. Her husband, Robert A. Swinson IV, owns Swinson Funeral Service on East Blount Street.
Additionally, she recognized that Harvey has connected with the community to help market the school as a safe place.
“From the outside looking in, you would think Rochelle is a bad place to be,” said Swinson, who has a 13-year-old son attending the school. “I knew from teaching there that it was not the case. I’ve always been an advocate for the school, and I believe that reputation is beginning to be repaired.
“My main mission is to make sure that Lenoir County knows that Rochelle is a wonderful middle school to send their children to.”
Swinson will start on June 3 as Harvey takes his post as principal of Lenoir County Early College High School. Former Principal Jason Miller stepped down in April for a job at Lenoir Community College.
Harvey could not be reached before the time of press Monday.
Harvey and Swinson worked together when she taught at Rochelle, and she said Harvey was supportive of her move to administration.
“My heart has always been at Rochelle,” Swinson said. “I’ve always said that if I come back to Lenoir County, it would be for Rochelle Middle School. When the position became available, it felt like it was my time.”
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.