Powered by Business High Point — Chamber of Commerce and the High Point Community Foundation.
...
  • About
    • High Point Schools Partnership
    • Partners
    • Did You Know
  • Public & Charter Schools
    • Elementary Schools
      • Allen Jay Elementary
      • Fairview Elementary
      • Florence Elementary
      • Johnson Street Global Studies
      • Kirkman Park Elementary
      • Montlieu Academy of Technology
      • Northwood Elementary
      • Oak Hill Elementary
      • Oak View Elementary
      • Parkview Village Elementary
      • Shadybrook Elementary
      • Southwest Elementary
      • Triangle Lake Montessori Elementary
      • Union Hill Elementary
    • Middle Schools
      • Allen Jay Middle
      • Ferndale Middle School
      • Johnson Street Global Studies
      • Penn Griffin School for the Arts
      • Southwest Guilford Middle
      • Welborn Academy of Science and Technology
    • High Schools
      • Andrews High School
      • High Point Central
      • Kearns Academy
      • Middle College at GTCC – High Point
      • Penn Griffin School for the Arts
      • Southwest Guilford High
    • Non-Traditional Schools
      • Allen Jay Middle
      • Dean B. Pruette SCALE Academy
      • High Point Newcomers School
      • Johnson Street Global Studies
      • Kearns Academy
      • Middle College at GTCC – High Point
      • Montlieu Academy of Technology
      • Northwood Elementary
      • Parkview Village Elementary
      • Penn-Griffin School for the Arts
      • Triangle Lake Montessori Elementary
      • Welborn Academy of Science and Technology
    • Charter Schools
      • Phoenix Academy
  • Private Schools
    • High Point Christian Academy
    • Hayworth Christian School
    • High Point Friends School
    • Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School
    • The Piedmont School
    • Tri-City Christian Academy
    • Wesleyan Christian Academy
    • Westchester Country Day School
  • Articles
...
Find the perfect school
for your family in High Point

Select Your Criteria Below to Find Your Perfect School

January 19, 2022 0 Comments Schools in High Point Extraordinary Leaders Extraordinary Leader Florence Elementary School, GCS ..., Guilford County Schools, High Point Schools Partnership, HPSP,
Extraordinary Leader: Chiyanna Young

The High Point Schools Partnership had the privilege of sitting down and talking with Chiyanna Young, principal of Florence Elementary School. Young received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in School Counselling from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She was a school counselor from 1999 to 2015 during school she spent most of her career in High Point at the elementary level. Young has served a year at Dudley High School, a year at Cone elementary as well as working at Montlieu and Shadybrook elementary. After her time as a school counselor, Young obtained her second Master’s degree from High Point University in Educational Leadership. 

During her time as an administrator, Young served as the assistant principal of Penn Griffin, Ferndale Middle, and Florence Elementary before becoming the principal of Florence in 2018. She is currently at the University of North Carolina to earn her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Young loves working at the elementary level because of the staff and the general joy surrounding the age group she works with.

When asked about programs she wanted to highlight, Young was very proud to discuss the revitalization of their PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program. Based on reinforcing good behavior, students can earn “Cowboy Bucks” to spend at their PBIS prize cart at the end of the month. Students can buy different prizes at different prices to encourage good behavior on any scale. Florence uses the acronym GREAT [Goal-driven, Respectual, Exceptional, Accepting of others, Trusting] to guide its students’ behavior goals. Young mentioned one of her favorite prizes through this program was a Kona Ice day where the truck came on campus to encourage students. The prizes for this program are provided through grants and PTA support.

Recently, Young has been very focused on staff mental health. She decided to replace certain staff meetings with “Wellness Days” where teachers can either walk on the track or do yoga at the school. Young also mentioned that every month there is some staff incentive (such as free lunch or missing a duty) to keep staff motivated. Young emphasized how much stress her staff is under during these challenging times so she wanted to do whatever she could to help her teachers continue to be their best.


Thank you Chiyanna for sitting down and talking with us. We look forward to continuing to talk with and highlight different High Point principals and all the good going on at their school.

Read More
October 25, 2021 0 Comments Schools in High Point Extraordinary Educators Extraordinary Educators Florence Elementary School, GCS ..., Guilford County Schools, High Point Schools Partnership, HPSP,
Extraordinary Educator: Kelsey Williams
Kelsey Williams, Florence Elementary School, awarded High Point Extraordinary Educator by the High Point School Schools Partnership at High Point Country Club, High Point, N.C., Friday, August 20, 2021. (Lynn Hey photo)

2021 Extraordinary Educators: Kelsey Williams


Great communities have great schools. High Point Schools Partnership creates impactful connections between our schools and the wider community to ensure students and their families are supported and can reach their full potential in High Point schools.

Part of High Point Schools Partnerships’ mission is to improve the image of our schools through storytelling. Who better to tell the stories of High Point’s schools than the people experiencing it first-hand? In this series of eight articles, we will highlight our 2021 High Point Extraordinary Educators as we dive deeper into what keeps them motivated in the face of constant challenges.


Kelsey Williams

Kelsey Williams has been an educator at Florence Elementary School for 5 years. Williams says “the community is incredible” and “the relationships she has created are stronger than just one school year; they are lifelong.”

Chiyanna Young, Florence Elementary School’s principal, says Mrs. Williams is “an extraordinary teacher that builds great relationships with parents, students, and staff.”

Others describe her as a friendly and caring person who is always willing to help students and staff. In regards to her lessons, Young says Mrs. Williams “has creative ideas to make her lessons fun. When I walk into Mrs. Williams’ classroom, I can feel the love and warmth between student and teacher.”

Q: What inspired you to become an educator?

A: In my first three years of elementary school, I attended three different schools. When I got to my third school (2nd grade), I had the most amazing teacher. I will never forget the kindness and passion that she had for teaching. My teacher in third grade displayed the same kindness, grace, and desire for changing kids’ lives. Their passion inspired me to pursue my 2nd grade self-dream of becoming a teacher.

Q: What’s your teaching/leadership style?

A: My teaching style includes setting high expectations for all my students. I firmly believe that all my students can achieve whatever they set their minds to, even in third grade. As far as leading, I love sharing new technology that will enhance the classroom with my colleagues. Often, I am called upon to help veteran teachers learn the new ropes as we continue to build 21st century learners.

Q: Do you have a classroom motto or philosophy you abide by? Why?

A: My dad has a saying that he tells me often that I base my classroom on. “You can’t fly like an eagle if you hang around turkeys.” This statement of comparing the elegant flight of an eagle and success versus the poor judgment of a group of turkeys is understandable for my third grade students. It is easy for them to picture and apply to situations throughout the school day. 

Q: What’s your favorite part about every day?

A: The best part of every day is when my students come into our classroom. It is a new opportunity for me to impart as much knowledge as I can to my students. Seeing my students’ excitement when they walk in is contagious and provides a spark for me to get the day going. 

Q: What’s your most memorable moment as an educator?

A: My most memorable moment as an educator happened during my first year teaching. I was teaching kindergarten. I had a student who came in without any knowledge of what a book was. Based on testing, he was far below “Reading Behaviors”. This student was also an English Language Learner who barely spoke any English. By the end of the year, this student was speaking fluent English with his classmates and reading at the middle of 1st grade reading level. I was so proud of the growth that he accomplished.

Mrs. Williams wants all of her students to know she is “you mom at school.” It is her responsibility to make sure that each of you has a great day, learns something new, and stays safe.

For parents? She says “we are a team.” Both Williams’ and her student’s parents want what is best for their student, and Williams says “they are the most precious gift and I am truly lucky to get to spend time with them every day.”


Thank you so much to Kelsey Williams for your dedication to High Point’s students. Congratulations on being selected as your school’s 2021 Extraordinary Educator!

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.

Article written by High Point Schools Partnership Staff

Read More
High Point School News
  • Staff Spotlight Gallary
  • High Point Student Leadership Awards 2022
  • Executive Council Story: Dr. Linda Wilson
  • Executive Council Story: Giselle Mansi
  • Executive Council Story: Jakki Davis
High Point School News
  • Staff Spotlight Gallary
  • High Point Student Leadership Awards 2022
  • Executive Council Story: Dr. Linda Wilson
  • Executive Council Story: Giselle Mansi
  • Executive Council Story: Jakki Davis
  • Staff Spotlight Gallary
  • High Point Student Leadership Awards 2022
  • Executive Council Story: Dr. Linda Wilson
  • Executive Council Story: Giselle Mansi
  • Executive Council Story: Jakki Davis
...
Schools In High Point
  • 1634 N. Main St., High Point, NC 27262
  • (336) 882-5000
  • info@bhpchamber.org
© 2022 Business High Point — Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
nexos_copyright

Log in to Schools In High Point

New to Schools In High Point ? Create an account