June Barnwell
June Barnwell’s efforts earned her membership to prestigious national and state education associations, scholarships, and the respect of her students. But it was the individualized attention she gave, her teaching style, and accessibility that earned Mrs. Barnwell a rapport with students that was evident to her colleagues. Former student Lynn Metcalf (Director for Exceptional Children, HCPS) recalls, “Mrs. Barnwell made connections with and inspired students to learn because of the time she took to show a specific interest in them.”
Colleague Virginia Haynes (Social Studies teacher, East Henderson High) writes, “Often when I was in the copy room, I would hear June giving a lecture … I would stick my head in and watch the students as they lit up when they grasped the concept or heard the explanations she gave.” Mrs. Barnwell was recognized by her peers and the system for her hard work and was named Henderson County Teacher of the Year in the 1986-1987 school year.
Mrs. Marshall writes, “I am thankful to have learned under the leadership of service of Mrs. Barnwell, as she inspired me to become an educator myself and to come back to serve ‘my mountains, my people, and… my students’”.
Lynn Carter
A “force” in education leadership, Lynn Davis Carter was the first teacher in Henderson County to earn the prestigious National Board Certification, helped develop teacher standards still used in today’s classrooms, and nurtured a “lush learning environment” that developed “lifelong learners.” Mrs. Carter began her teaching career in Wake and Swain County Schools before joining Rugby Middle School’s staff in 1979 where she taught 8th grade English, and briefly Social Studies, before retiring in 2005.
Never backing away from a leadership opportunity, Mrs. Carter served on the School Improvement team for nine years, chaired the committee for Schools to Watch – leading to Rugby Middle’s 2003 recognition as one of eight Schools to Watch in the nation – and was an active board member of the Henderson County Education Foundation from 2003 to 2007.
“Lynn created an atmosphere of curiosity, excitement, and enjoyment that encouraged each student to act on their own initiative,” writes James Case, former Rugby Middle principal and 2008 Hall of Fame Inductee.
Robert Joubert
A humble, quiet giver who preferred to remain behind the scenes in most respects, Robert James Joubert had a powerful voice when it came to advocating for his students and special education.
Mr. Joubert began his legacy in the school system’s Exceptional Children program when he was hired in 1970 and taught until it closed in 1993, at which point he moved with other Edneyville faculty to the new North Henderson High School. After only a few months at North Henderson High, Mr. Joubert was hired by retired Superintendent David L. Jones, Flat Rock Middle’s then-principal, to serve as Assistant Principal.
Mr. Joubert spent the remainder of his career at Flat Rock Middle, where he maintained his rigorous work ethic and involvement in his school; often the first to arrive and the last to leave, Mr. Joubert became “the man behind the scenes” who managed buses, facilities, athletics, textbooks – and served as leader to future Henderson County Public Schools educators.
Mike Pressley
A compassionate, servant leader with a great sense of humor, Michael Pressley is remembered as an “accessible” and “selfless” administrator who served Henderson County Public Schools for 35 years.
Mr. Pressley rose to school administration after teaching Mathematics at Rugby Junior High for 12 years, beginning in 1973. His principal, James Case, and former superintendent, Glenn C. Marlow encouraged Mr. Pressley to take on the leadership role of Assistant Principal at Rugby Junior High, where he served for three years before becoming Principal at Fletcher Elementary School in 1988. After leaving Fletcher Elementary in the fall of 1990 to serve in Active Duty in support of Desert Storm for six months, he returned to lead Balfour Elementary School. In 2002, Balfour Elementary School transitioned to Clear Creek Elementary under Mr. Pressley’s guidance and he served as Principal until his retirement in 2009.
As an administrator, Mr. Pressley was often found sweeping, driving a bus, dressing up as Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, driving students to his apple orchard, and performing many tasks behind the scenes to improve his schools.
Beverly Wood
A Western North Carolina native and career physical education specialist, Beverly Mood Wood made a profound impact on Henderson County’s physical education program and the students she served through creative curriculum integration and mentoring.
Mrs. Wood began her teaching career in Buncombe County in 1966 before moving to Florida to teach and coach. In 1983 she returned to North Carolina with her husband and fellow Hall of Fame inductee, Rick Wood, to teach in Haywood County. Henderson County gained Mrs. Wood’s expertise when she joined the staff of Edneyville Elementary in 1988 as their physical education specialist. She was named Edneyville Elementary Teacher of the Year in 1995-1996. In 1999 she became the first physical educator for the brand new Glenn C. Marlow Elementary School, where she remained until her retirement in 2007.
Former Glenn C. Marlow colleague, Elena Robertson, noted, “It was clear from the beginning that Mrs. Wood would be a leader, mentor, and calming force in the waves of uncertainty that can arise when opening a new school.” Former student Bryan Vaughn was so impacted by Mrs. Wood’s leadership in the classroom, that he became a physical educator. Many years later he had the opportunity to complete his student teaching with Mrs. Wood and eventually took over her position at Glenn C. Marlow. “Mrs. Wood is not only someone who spent many years teaching in Henderson County, she is also my hero, mentor, role model, friend and most importantly, my favorite teacher ever,” writes Mr. Vaughn.