WALNUT CREEK ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL DETERMINED TO SUCCEED

By Cash Michaels

Editor

            The job that Corey A. Moore now faces will be a tough one, but his community won’t allow him to face it alone.

            Moore was appointed last week by the Wake County Public School to become principal of the new Walnut Creek Elementary School on Sunnybrook and Rock Quarry Road in Southeast Raleigh. He was warmly welcomed to the task during the second community forum last Friday at Compassionate Tabernacle of Faith Missionary Baptist Church, focusing on the anticipated needs of the designated high poverty school.

            When it formally opens this August, the 700-plus student body at Walnut Creek Elementary is projected to be 81 percent free-and-reduced lunch, and 52 percent low-performing. Most experts say high poverty schools need strong principal leadership, a committed teaching staff, devoted parents and extra resources.

            Moore, who has served as principal before in Raleigh, Greensboro and Durham, and was last an assistant principal at Middle Creek High School in Apex, says he has already hit the ground running towards making Walnut Creek the best elementary school possible.

            “First let me say how estatic, how happy, and how excited I am to have been …appointed principal of Walnut Creek Elementary School,” Moore told the well-attended gathering.

Moore, a native of Chocowinity in Beaufort County, is a graduate of Western Carolina University. Both of his parents were ministers who valued education.

            Moore’s first job in education was in 1996 in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public schools, and he has served as assistant principal and principal in various school systems across the state ever since.

            “I believe that my experiences and past have prepared me for this opportunity, and I’m standing prepared to lead in a direction that will take this school straight up,” Moore assured.

            Wake Supt. Anthony Tata, District 4 Wake School Board member Keith Sutton, Area Supt. Julye Mizelle, and numerous educators, parents and others, applauded Moore, and pledged to work with him.

            “He has the personality and the background to really lead the school in a very positive direction,” Ms. Mizell said.

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