Hope Heverly is partner to teachers, champion for students
The new assistant principal at Carolina Community Academy and master’s graduate learned leadership requires supporting both.
A 2026 graduate of the UNC School of Education’s Master of School Administration program, Hope Heverly recently became assistant principal at Carolina Community Academy. There she leads through partnership, supports teachers and helps expand the K-2 lab school’s impact on students and the community in Roxboro, North Carolina.
Earlier in her career, she learned that leadership is a way to support not only her students but also the teachers working alongside her. “Every student deserves a champion, and every teacher deserves a partner,” Heverly said.
When an administrator challenged her to become a math coach, Heverly took on the role in Orange County Schools, supporting her fellow teachers with co-teaching, professional development and data analysis. Providing teachers with tangible, hands-on support over those three years helped clarify the direction she wanted to pursue and ultimately led her toward the MSA degree.
The MSA program prepares experienced educators to lead with purpose, respond to student and community needs with intention and make an immediate impact as licensed K-12 principals. The two-year program blends rigorous coursework with real-world administrative experience to help future school leaders develop the skills and confidence to navigate the complex demands of today’s educational landscape.
The MSA degree allowed Heverly to acquire the skills and confidence to lead with purpose. (Submitted photo)
Growing through mentorship and community
The program’s hyflex format — six-week blocks online Wednesday evenings and online or in-person on Saturdays — made it possible for Heverly to teach while building her school leadership skills.
“After working a full day, it was helpful not to have to rush to campus every time. That flexibility made it easier to balance being a full-time math coach while working toward becoming an administrator,” Heverly said. “But there’s also a lot of value in being in person, and the program ensured the cohort had that cohesive, hands-on learning experience.”
That sense of connection extended to Heverly’s relationships with faculty mentors. Clinical associate professor Chris Scott and program director Martinette Horner were honest, supportive mentors who made her feel seen as an individual rather than just a student, Heverly said. Horner’s encouragement to pursue the opportunity at Carolina Community Academy reflected how well the program’s faculty understood her passions and leadership potential.
“A big strength of the MSA program is that you’re not just a student in the classroom,” Heverly said. “The faculty want you to get a job that truly fits who you are and what you stand for, while also pushing you to grow as a leader.”
That preparation was reinforced through her internship at Orange Middle School with principal Jayme Bell-Williams. Bell-Williams made it clear that Heverly was part of the team, invited her perspective and ensured she had meaningful opportunities to grow before moving into her next role.
Through the internship, Heverly analyzed data, helped coordinate middle-of-year testing and supported behavioral processes — experiences that affirmed her growth as a school leader and helped shape the kind of administrator she aims to be.
“Whether it’s from a student lens or a colleague lens, I want people to know they’re never alone,” Heverly said. “You have a thinking partner. You have someone there on your tough days. It’s about consistently showing up and giving your best each day, even though your best may look different from day to day.”
Heverly sees her current role as a continuation of the same learning, mentorship and partnership that shaped her experience in the program — working with principal Daniel Watson ’18 (MSA).
“I’m really excited to still be part of Carolina in this way,” Heverly said. “I’ve learned so much these past two years, and I’m excited to continue working with Carolina through Carolina Community Academy and to keep building my leadership skills.”
