North Carolina Virtual Academy Announces New School Leadership Team

RALEIGH, N.C., May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- North Carolina Virtual Academy (NCVA), a K-12 online public charter school, today announced two experienced North Carolina educators as the newest members to its school leadership team. Joel Medley was named as North Carolina Virtual Academy's Head of School and Marcia Simmons will serve as an Academic Administrator. They will start on Monday, June 1, 2015.

Joel is a life-long educator and award-winning teacher, school administrator, and state education official. He was most recently the Director of the Office of Charter Schools in the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Prior to that role he taught at middle school, high school and community college levels, and was named the 2001 North Carolina Educator of the Year for high school teachers. He also served as a school administrator in both traditional and charter schools.

Marcia Simmons is an experienced online school teacher and administrator in North Carolina. Most recently she was the Instructional Director and Online Principal at the North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS), the state-run virtual school program under the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  She also served as an online history teacher and Department Chair of History, Science, Math, and Psychology at NCVPS. She received her BA and MA in History from North Carolina Central University in Durham.

"We are thrilled to have Joel and Marcia as part of our team to help lead our school in its inaugural year," said Chris Withrow, chair of North Carolina Learns, Inc., the independent, nonprofit charter school board that governs NCVA. "Both are tremendously talented and committed educators who care deeply about serving students and opening opportunities for families in North Carolina."

"I am honored to be part of this innovative North Carolina public school," said Mr. Medley. "We have an incredible opportunity to promote academic mastery and prepare 21st century students with 21st century tools. My team eagerly anticipates making a difference each day one student at a time."    

William Cobey, Chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education, said, "Joel served with distinction and the highest level of integrity during his tenure as director of the charter school office. He is an educator at heart, and I know he is excited about going back to his roots leading a team of teachers and educators to meet the educational needs of North Carolina students."

NVCA is hiring additional school staff along with a team of state-certified teachers, counselors and advisors. Throughout the summer NCVA teachers and staff will be preparing for the upcoming school year by conducting teacher training, professional development and student orientations. 

The school is authorized to enroll up to 1500 students in grades K-12 its first year. Enrollment is ongoing and the school is currently conducting multiple information sessions and one-on-one parent orientation sessions for registered families.

The school's first day is August 24, 2015.

SOURCE North Carolina Virtual Academy