On May 21, the Cherokee County Board of Education voted to elect Angel Owens as the new superintendent, succeeding Dr. Keevin Woody, who has been superintendent since November 2022. The board expressed its congratulations to Ms. Owens. Sitting in the meeting was Melissa Godfrey, superintendent of Clay County Schools, bringing flowers for the superintendent-elect. Members of the board also expressed their gratitude for Dr. Woody, who will end his term on June 30.
Angel Owens is currently the Chief Officer of Human Resources and Federal Programs for Clay County Schools. She has been in education for over 29 years. Ms. Owens begins her role as the superintendent of CCS on July 1.
Joshua Badillo-Jimenez, Marketing Specialist for Andrews High School, briefly spoke with Ms. Owens at her election meeting. It was requested that she answer a few questions about herself so that our school community can get to know all about her.
Questions were asked through email. Here are her responses:
Where are you from and what is your personal background?
I am originally from Cherokee County and grew up in the Peachtree community. I attended Peachtree Elementary School and graduated from Murphy High School, so this district and this community have always been very personal to me. I still have family throughout Cherokee County, and I understand firsthand the values, traditions, and pride that make this area special. Professionally, I have spent my entire career working in public education in Western North Carolina, and I have advanced from teacher assistant to classroom teacher and eventually into district leadership roles. I also served as a bus driver and athletic coach throughout my career, driving a bus while serving as a district administrator during our bus driver shortage when we returned to face-to-face instruction following the mandated COVID school closure. My journey has taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and servant leadership.
What is your educational background?
I earned my Associate in Arts from Tri-County Community College, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Western Carolina University, my Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College, and my Educational Specialist degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. I also achieved National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist. In addition, I hold North Carolina licenses in Superintendent, Principal, Exceptional Children Program Administration, Elementary Education, and Exceptional Children General Curriculum.
What is your current position with Clay County Schools?
I currently serve as the Chief Officer of Human Resources and Federal Programs for Clay County Schools. In that role, I oversee Human Resources, Federal Programs, Exceptional Children, licensure, the NC Educator Evaluation System (NCEES), district support services, and multiple state and federal grants. Over the years, I have also served as District 504 Coordinator, Homeless Liaison, AIG Coordinator and EL Coordinator. I began my career working at the school level as a teacher assistant and then a classroom teacher.
What is your philosophy in educational leadership?
My philosophy in educational leadership is centered on trust, transparency, accountability, and shared responsibility. I believe schools are strongest when everyone understands that they play an important role in student success. Effective leadership means supporting employees, communicating clearly, making decisions with integrity, and always keeping students at the center of the work.
Effective leadership is grounded in trust, clarity, and shared purpose. I want every person in this district to understand that they are a stakeholder in the success of every student we educate. This shared ownership creates the foundation for a strong, high-performing school system where both students and staff can succeed.
That philosophy applies to every employee in the district, from custodians and bus drivers to teachers, administrators, and district leadership. Everyone matters, and everyone contributes to the success of students.
Why did you decide to apply for the superintendent position?
I applied for the superintendent position because Cherokee County is home, and I care deeply about the future of this community and its schools. This opportunity is both professional and personal to me. I believe Cherokee County Schools plays a vital role in preparing students for successful futures while also strengthening the community as a whole. I felt that my experience in district leadership, finance, Human Resources, and student support services prepared me to help lead the district forward while continuing to build on the strong foundation already in place. I know with over 29 years experience people will ask if I'm not ready to retire. My answer is simply, "not yet". I am not one to sit still for long and the idea of going home for good just doesn't appeal to me right now. I work hard and I know I have several years left in me to positively impact our schools.
What are some of your plans for when you start?
One of my first priorities will be listening and learning. I want to spend time in schools, meet the employees across the district, build relationships with students and families, and learn more about the strengths and needs of each school and department. I also want to continue strengthening communication and collaboration throughout the district so employees and the community feel informed and involved.
I plan to focus on instructional excellence, employee support, workforce readiness opportunities for students, and long-term planning that keeps Cherokee County Schools moving forward. I also look forward to working closely with the Board of Education and current District Leadership Team because I know they have worked hard to support students and staff, and I believe we can accomplish great things together.
What are some of the concerns regarding Cherokee County Schools that you would like to address first?
Based on what I currently know, some important areas of focus will include student achievement, employee recruitment and retention, school facilities, transportation needs, and long-term financial planning. Like many districts across North Carolina, Cherokee County Schools faces challenges related to staffing shortages and maintaining competitive support systems for employees.
I also believe attendance, instructional consistency, and workforce preparation opportunities for students are areas that deserve continued attention. My goal will be to evaluate those needs carefully, work collaboratively with district leadership and staff, and develop practical solutions that support students and employees while remaining fiscally responsible.
Transparency, honesty, and ethical practice were key things you stated during your introduction speech at yesterday's meeting. How would you execute those things in whatever project CCS has going on?
For me, transparency and honesty start with communication. People deserve clear information about decisions, expectations, challenges, and progress. I believe employees and the community should feel informed rather than surprised. That means being visible, listening to concerns, explaining decisions openly, and following through on commitments.
Ethical leadership also means making decisions based on what is best for students and the district as a whole, even when those decisions are difficult. In every project or initiative, I want people to know that resources are being managed responsibly, expectations are fair, and decisions are being made with integrity and accountability. Trust is built through consistency and follow-through over time. I know that every decision made will not be the popular one or the one people want me to make, but I promise to make the most informed decisions that are best for the students of Cherokee County, however unpopular some of those decisions may be.
What are some hobbies and interests you have?
I am a true DIYer at heart. I love working on projects around my home, improving things, and spending time in my yard and garden. One of my favorite things is planting and watching things grow, and now that I’ll be living in Peachtree, I’m already planning what vegetables I want to plant in my garden this summer.
I also enjoy all kinds of sports, from professional and college athletics to local school and youth sports. I’ve always appreciated how sports bring communities together and teach teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.
Most importantly, I love spending time with my friends and family. They have supported me in so many ways throughout my life and career, and they bring joy to my life every single day.
The relationship between the Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners has not seemed to be the best these last few years. What would your efforts be to strengthen the relationship between the two boards?
I believe strong relationships are built through communication, professionalism, transparency, and mutual respect. Both the Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners ultimately serve the same community and want what is best for the students, families, and taxpayers of Cherokee County. My role as superintendent would be to help strengthen communication and ensure there is a clear understanding of the district’s needs, priorities, and financial responsibilities.
I think it is important to focus on collaboration rather than conflict. That means being proactive in sharing information, being transparent about challenges and district needs, and working to build trust over time through consistency and honesty. I believe people work better together when communication is respectful and solutions-focused.
I am also optimistic about some of the perspectives represented on the current and incoming Board of Commissioners. Dr. Conley is a former superintendent, and I believe her years of experience serving in public education and understanding how school funding operates in North Carolina can provide valuable insight to the Board of Commissioners. Public school finance is complex, especially with the continued loss of both state and federal funding sources in recent years, and I think her experience can help provide clarity and perspective for those who may not have worked directly in school systems before.
Dr. Ledford has experience working in the public sector with federal funding, which I believe is also important. Anyone who has worked with federal programs understands how significant funding changes can impact operations, staffing, and services for students and communities. That type of background can help create meaningful conversations about long-term planning and sustainability.
Additionally, Mr. Coleman will be joining the Board in January comes from the Board of Education, so I hope he will be able to provide even more insight into the needs of Cherokee County Schools, the careful steps already taken by district leadership and the Board of Education to make informed decisions, and the financial realities districts are facing as funding continues to decline in multiple areas.
At the end of the day, I hope both boards can operate from a shared belief that our students are our future. These students will eventually become the leaders, workforce, business owners, parents, and community members who guide Cherokee County long after we step away from our roles. We have a responsibility to invest in them now if we want to build stronger communities for the future. When both boards work together with that shared understanding, everyone benefits, especially our students.
Andrews High School is excited to work with Ms. Owens in her new position. Mr. Oxender, who is fairly new himself, expressed great excitement. AHS is happy for Ms. Owens and eager to see what the next few years will bring for Cherokee County Schools.
Profile photo by Angel Owens
Signing photo by Joshua Badillo-Jimenez, AHS Marketing Specialist.