High Point Schools Partnership is highlighting members of our Executive Council. Keep reading to learn more about Dr. Wilson.

Q: Give us some background. Where are you from? Where did you go to school? What was your career path to get here?

A: I am from Franklin County, NC.  I attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&T) and majored in nursing.  I also received a master’s in Guidance and Counseling and a Ph. D., in Leadership Studies from NCA&T.  My career path has been in the healthcare field.  I was the Executive Director of Health Services for NCA&T for 29 years.  I currently serve as Director of Community and Business Partnerships for Guilford County Schools.

Q: What is your primary occupation/job title?

A: Director, Community, and Business Partnerships, Guilford County Schools

Q: Why is the work of HPSP important to you?

A: I recognize that schools cannot do it alone, as indicated by  Jamie Vollmer.  HPSP is an outstanding community partner and plays a vital role in recognizing the excellent work of administrators, teachers, and the success of students. HPSP has at the heart of its mission to continuously create new and innovative processes to reward the performance of school staff and administrators.  Community recognition speaks volumes to district employees and students.  Recognition for excellence encourages quality performance.  I am excited to witness the excellent work of HPSP for staff and students. 

Q: What are your hopes for HPSP?

A: That the work of HPSP becomes a model for community engagement across the country.  HPSP’s initiatives are cutting edge and are designed to express appreciation for quality performance by the district, employees, and students.

Q: The city of High Point is in a phase of “revitalization”, what do you think this will look like when it is complete? What role do schools play in this process?

A: High Point is a growing and thriving community. I envision High Point being a model city for the triad, with new businesses, new community development with affordable housing and community attractions, community parks, biking trails, art galleries, and cultural-focused entertainment.   New and renovated structure contributes to the creation of new jobs and city beautification.  The role schools play in the process is vital.  Strong schools contribute to strong and thriving communities.  Our schools serve as excellent recruitment tools to attract new businesses and create a stronger economy. 

Q: Is there anything we haven’t asked yet that you want to share with our community? 

A: HPSP is an essential partner for Guilford County Schools.  This partnership speaks volumes about the importance of engaging the community in supporting the success of our schools.  The partnership values the work of the district and understands it takes all of us to work together to build stronger schools.

Thank you so much to Dr. Wilson for telling us a little more about yourself and why our work is meaningful to you. We look forward to hearing about more of the great things you do for the High Point Schools Partnership!

To find out more about High Point Schools Partnership and our work, please visit our Facebook page and check out our page on Guilford Education Alliance’s website.

High Point Schools Partnership is highlighting members of our Executive Council. Keep reading to learn more about Giselle Mansi.

Q: Give us some background. Where are you from? Where did you go to school? What was your career path to get here?

A: Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Grew up in Miami, FL, and I have been living in High Point for the past 15 years or so. I graduated from High Point University with a B.A in Elementary Education and a year later with an M.Ed. in Education. 

After graduation, I taught for a number of years here in High Point. Later, I had the opportunity to transition into Higher Education and became a Success Coach at High Point University. Over a year ago, I took a leap of faith and jumped into the nonprofit world as the Director of the Latino Family Center at the YWCA in High Point. 

Q: What is your primary occupation/job title?

A: Director, YWCA’s Latino Family Center

Q: Why is the work of HPSP important to you?

A: As a former educator, and still an educator at heart, I find it extremely important to still be able to support our schools, teachers, and students. To be able to still support our schools, their staff, and their students is something that I truly value. Moreover, being able to bring awareness to our stakeholders and the community of the great things that are happening in our schools is equally important. I am a big believer that there is great power in numbers! By engaging our community, our families, and our schools together, great things are bound to happen. We are just one pillar of so many other community organizations that help support the marvelous work that is happening here in our schools.

Q: What are your hopes for HPSP?

A: To continue growing and engaging more supporters in this work. There is so much opportunity for individuals, businesses, community agencies, etc. to help in this endeavor. Continuing to hold conversations with district leaders, school staff, and the many agencies that work in the education arena is vital. Moreover, I’m excited to continue showcasing the successes of our schools and their students. Lastly, to continue being a strong advocate and cheerleader for our schools!

Q: The city of High Point is in a phase of “revitalization” what do you think this will look like when it is complete? What role do schools play in this process?

A: The revitalization phase that we are currently in is quite exciting. I moved to High Point about 15 years ago when the Palladium didn’t even exist yet—  crazy to think, right? Over the last decade, the city of High Point has been steadily growing and continues to grow!  This effort has allowed many major companies to come in and open shop right here with us. As we think about the future of High Point and its growth, we should also think of our schools and how this also plays a part in this growth. As members of this community, we need to continue advocating and supporting our schools. Nevertheless, instead of complaining about what people are doing or not doing, we should really look inward and ask ourselves– what am I doing to support the efforts of the school/district in my community?

Q: Is there anything we haven’t asked yet that you want to share with our community? 

A: It takes a village to have a thriving city and equally thriving schools… It may seem like we all do “”our own thing”” but when you zoom in and look at the details in each area, you will find that we are all somehow connected to one another. I would not be able to do the work that I do without the help of so many partner organizations. 

In my teaching days, it took many of us (teachers, counselors, families, administration, volunteers, etc.)  to help 1 child. Think about how this translates in your field of experience.

Thank you so much to Giselle for telling us a little more about yourself and why our work is meaningful to you. We look forward to hearing about more of the great things you do for the High Point Schools Partnership!

To find out more about High Point Schools Partnership and our work, please visit our Facebook page and check out our page on Guilford Education Alliance’s website.

High Point Schools Partnership is highlighting members of our Executive Council. Keep reading to learn more about Jakki Davis.

Q: Give us some background. Where are you from? Where did you go to school? What was your career path to get here?

A: I am originally from Lexington NC. I attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where I met my husband Corvin, and we remained in Greensboro. I received my Business Administration/Management degree from A&T and Master of Educational Leadership from Strayer University. I have worked in the human service industry for a couple of decades and in 2007 Corvin and I started D-UP Inc; a grassroots education and fitness organization that was incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit in 2010 providing services across the Triad. In 2011, D-UP moved to the Washington Street Historic District in High Point during revitalization, and we absolutely love our community.

Q: What is your primary occupation/job title?

A: Executive Director of D-Up

Q: Why is the work of HPSP important to you?

A: Working as the Executive Director of a grassroots non-profit, that focuses on meeting the needs of our community; it has been imperative for us to partner with other community stakeholders to make a difference in the lives of our families.  HPSP is one of those stakeholders for enrichment centers and our public schools. HPSP is committed to ensuring students learning opportunities are enhanced by providing necessary resources and support from collaborative efforts. 

Q: What are your hopes for HPSP?

A: I have been a member of HPSP since 2020 and have had the opportunity to see the great impact made especially during COVID. There was no hesitation in working with GCS district leadership, school administrators, and enrichment centers to access the needs and offer support to our High Point schools navigating uncertain times. My hope is we will continue to listen, facilitate more community partnerships, and advocate for broader support, especially in regard to understanding the impact of Coronavirus on K-12 education (Academic, Behavioral, and Social-Emotional). 

Q: The city of High Point is in a phase of “revitalization” what do you think this will look like when it is complete? What role do schools play in this process?

A: Revitalization efforts in High Point are already visible with the Downtown Catalyst Project, High Point Equity Project, and I must mention the new energy and life given in having a new City Manager and Police Chief. Economic growth and increasing safety are two shared interests High Pointers desire to see in revitalization efforts and just as equal are quality education, affordable housing, food security, and a healthy community. High Point schools will play an important role in the City’s revitalization as public-school systems support economic growth and workforce stability. This is all the need more for our community leaders, school administrators, teachers, staff, and families to continue to advocate for improvement in all our schools. 

Q: Is there anything we haven’t asked yet that you want to share with our community?

A: I work every day with youth who deserve the very best, who deserve excellence!  I challenge all of us to do our part in working together to ensure our youth have an opportunity to not only survive but thrive in life. They are counting on us! 

Thank you so much Ms.Jakki for telling us a little more about yourself and why our work is meaningful to you. We look forward to hearing about more of the great things you do for the High Point Schools Partnership!

To find out more about High Point Schools Partnership and our work, please visit our Facebook page and check out our page on Guilford Education Alliance’s website.

High Point Schools Partnership is highlighting members of our Executive Council. Keep reading to learn more about Program Coordinator, Dawn Spencer.

Q: Give us some background. Where are you from? Where did you go to school? What was your career path to get here?

A: I was born in High Point, grew up in Jamestown NC, Cocoa Beach FL, and Melbourne FL. I graduated from Guilford College with a double major in elementary education and psychology then received my Master of Educational Leadership from UNCG. I taught elementary and middle school for 10 years in GCS, then moved into school administration where I spent most of my time as principal of Allen Jay Elementary. After retiring, I joined the High Point Schools Partnership in 2019.

Q: What is your primary occupation/job title?

A: HPSP program coordinator-but I will always be a teacher and principal at heart. 

Q: Why is the work of HPSP important to you?

A: Strong public schools are the cornerstone of our democracy. It takes everyone’s support – the family, the school, and the community – to ensure that each student receives a solid foundation for success and citizenship. HPSP makes the critical connections needed to support High Point schools. I love being an advocate for educators and students!

Q: What are your hopes for HPSP?

A: HPSP has made great strides in celebrating the accomplishments of High Point students and teachers. HPSP will continue to be a source of information, encouragement, and connection between our public schools and the community. In the future, I look forward to making more meaningful and sustained partnerships between schools and community leaders so that every school has a dedicated group of champions. 

Q: The city of High Point is in a phase of “revitalization”. What do you think this will look like when it is complete? What role do schools play in this process?

A: Revitalization will be complete when High Point can offer the best education, health care, and career opportunities to every citizen. Schools play a critical role in High Point’s revitalization process because they grow and attract our future leaders. Great communities need great schools, and great schools need great communities.

Q: Is there anything we haven’t asked yet that you want to share with our community?

A: I am the proud mom of a junior at Penn-Griffin School for the Arts.

Thank you so much to Dawn for telling us a little more about yourself and why our work is meaningful to you. We look forward to hearing about more of the great things you do for the High Point Schools Partnership!

To find out more about High Point Schools Partnership and our work, please visit our Facebook page and check out our page on Guilford Education Alliance’s website.

High Point Schools Partnership is highlighting members of our Executive Council. Keep reading to learn more about Matt Thiel

Q: Give us some background. Where are you from? Where did you go to school? What was your career path to get here?

A: Grew up in Bristol, Virginia.  Graduated from Notre Dame with a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering.  10 years in the US Air Force as a strategic intelligence officer.  Vanderbilt Owen School of Business – MBA.  23 years experience as a Wealth Advisor.  Opened his independent office – Signature Wealth Strategies in June 2020 in Downtown High Point.

Q: What is your primary occupation/job title?

A: President, Signature Wealth Strategies – High Point

Q: Why is the work of HPSP important to you?

A: Great communities need great schools.  To have great schools, we need a supportive and engaged community.

Q: What are your hopes for HPSP?

A: Lift up our schools and build more connections between school and community.

Q: The city of High Point is in a phase of “revitalization”. What do you think this will look like when it is complete? What role do schools play in this process?

A: Lifting up our schools and creating the best educational outcomes for our students is critical to High Point reaching its full potential as a thriving, growing community.

Q: Is there anything we haven’t asked yet that you want to share with our community? 

A: I have a loving wife, daughter Sarah Brian, son Adam, and dog Cotton

Thank you so much to Matt Thiel for telling us a little more about yourself and why our work is meaningful to you. We look forward to hearing about more of the great things you do for the High Point Schools Partnership!

To find out more about High Point Schools Partnership and our work, please visit our Facebook page and check out our page on Guilford Education Alliance’s website.