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CCS names principal of the year

press release

Published: October 1, 2009

Catawba - Principal Todd Black decided to pursue a career in education because he loves kids.

"I just love being around them," said Black.

It is that caring spirit and the excellent leadership he provides every day at Bandys High School that earned Black this year's title of Catawba County Schools Wachovia Principal of the Year.

"Todd has done an amazing job in a very short period of time," said Tim Markley, superintendent of Catawba County Schools. "Academically, Bandys High School is now one of the highest ranking schools in the state. He has provided leadership to the Bandys staff in their commitment to the common goals of raising student achievement through hard work and dedication. He has brought the community together in support of student success. It is a well-deserved recognition."

Black said he is honored by the recognition by his peers, especially given the talent in the school system.

"This recognition is a direct reflection of the people surrounding me," he said. "The faculty and staff at Bandys High School would make any principal look good."

Black currently serves as president of Catawba County Schools Principals' Association and Bandys Feeder Area Leader since 2007. He is a commissioner to the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund, a representative to the North Carolina Association of School Administrators and member of Career and Technical Education Advisory Council. He is a member of the Sherrills Ford/Terrill Rotary Club and Hopewell United Methodist Church in Catawba.

Black said he decided to get into the education profession because of his wife.

"I was initially majoring in Social Work because I always wanted to work with children and families in need," he said. "I then met my wife, who was majoring in education, and changed my major to Social Studies Education. The rest is history."

Before coming back to his alma mater- Bandys - in 2007, Black was principal at East Lincoln High School for five years, and served as assistant principal at Maiden High School for two years prior to that. He began in his educational career as a social studies teacher at East Lincoln in 1993.

A graduate of Bandys High School, he earned his undergraduate degree in Social Studies Education and Master's in School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Black has also participated in the Principals' Executive Program.

He was the 2007 Lincoln County Association of Educational Office Professionals (LCAEOP) Administrator of the Year. Additionally, he received the 2006 Community Service Award as well as the Leadership Award from Campus Connections.

He is married to Leslie Black, director of media services for Catawba County Schools. They have two sons, Jordan, a Bandys High School sophomore, Tyler, a sixth-grader at Balls Creek Elementary.