Mount Airy City Schools is pleased to announce that Ms. Olivia Byerly has been named the new principal of Mount Airy Middle School. Byerly has served as the principal of Tharrington Primary School since 2014. Prior to her principalship, she served as the assistant principal of Mount Airy High School for two years.
Ms. Byerly has been named from a pool of 15, highly-qualified individuals where her skill set and experiences matched the feedback from the community, staff, and students on what they would like to see in the next leader of Mount Airy Middle School.
Ms. Byerly attended Appalachian State University where she majored in Mathematics and Secondary Education. She received her Masters of Arts in Education from Wake Forest University and her administrative license from Appalachian State University. Byerly is currently working on her Ed.S. in Leadership and School Administration from Appalachian State University where, in December 2017, she will graduate having obtained her superintendent’s license.
Prior to becoming an assistant principal, Ms. Byerly spent 10 years in the classroom as a successful, high school, math teacher. In 2012, Ms. Byerly served as Mount Airy City Schools Teacher of the Year and was nominated for the prestigious Waddill Excellence in Teaching Award at Wake Forest. In 2016, she was named Principal of the Year for Mount Airy City Schools.
Through her work Ms. Byerly has helped Mount Airy High School receive the National Blue Ribbon Award. While at Tharrington, she has implemented a dual language immersion program, established a global focus for all classrooms, and empowered teachers as they grew the Leader in Me program for students. With her leadership, all teachers at Tharrington achieved a high rate of growth in their students which resulted in green or blue EVAAS data for each educator.
Ms. Olivia Byerly, Principal, noted, “I am honored to join the Mount Airy Middle School family. I am excited to be a part of all the wonderful things that MAMS has to offer. I look forward to meeting many new faces in the coming days.”
Ms. Byerly will work with district and school leaders to facilitate a smooth transition for Tharrington students and families. Mrs. Chelsy Payne, Curriculum Facilitator, and Mrs. Eve Trotter, Reading Specialist, will share administrative duties until the end of the school year. Mr. Jesse Hiatt, Director of Student Services, will be available as an additional point of contact.
Dr. Kim Morrison, Superintendent, states, “We are excited to announce that Ms. Byerly is the new principal of MAMS. She is not a stranger to our district as she has been a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Her exceptional qualities as a leader and accomplishments from her work have prepared her to be a great fit for Mount Airy Middle School. We are excited for what the future holds for Ms. Byerly and MAMS.”
Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education and administration are pleased to welcome Ms. Byerly as the new principal of Mount Airy Middle School. Students, families, and the community are invited to “Meet the Principal Night” on Monday, April 10th. This event will be held in Mount Airy Middle School’s Media Center beginning at 6:30pm.