WS Chronicle

When I am deeply inspired by the incredible individuals I meet, those who may not hail from the Triad area but whose impact is felt far beyond their own communities, I am reminded of the strength of our collective spirit. Their unwavering commitment to making a difference in schools, uplifting their neighborhoods, and empowering others is a testament to our shared resilience. I believe in the power of sharing these journeys because when we lift each other up and learn from one another, we grow stronger together. Through these stories, we can unite, building a stronger, more resilient North Carolina. One State. One Community. N.C. Strong! 

Diane Roberts, the director of Career and Technical Education & Advanced Programs for Thomasville City Schools, invited me to host Thomasville High School’s Black History Month program. During our conversation, she recognized my passion for empowering youth and said, “I need to connect you with Dr. William Wynn, the principal at Thomasville High School. Both of you share the same dedication to our youth.” 

Roberts successfully made the connection. Before my meeting with Dr. Wynn, I had only heard amazing things about him – how he’s working diligently to transform his high school into a safe, positive space where students can thrive. His reputation for leadership and dedication was inspiring. 

When he arrived at the front office to escort me to his office, it was a Friday, so he was dressed in a baseball cap, jeans, and a t-shirt representing his fraternity. He was very welcoming, yet his presence naturally and humbly commanded respect. 

We sat down to discuss bringing my youth organization, New Cool Movement Stop the Bullying and Violence Awareness Assembly, to Thomasville High School. The moment he began speaking, I was taken aback by his speech impediment. But as he continued, it became unnoticeable. His brilliance, his passion for his students, and his deep love for his community shone through every word. 

In that moment, I wasn’t just sitting with a school principal; I was in the presence of a leader whose conviction and vision stood alongside the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and President Obama. His words carried the weight of someone who had overcome, who had fought for something greater than himself, and who was now pouring that same strength into the next generation. Sharing his powerful testimony wasn’t an option; it was a must. 

“My mother taught me early on that life would not be easy. For me, it had been no crystal stairs. I was born with a hearing impairment, and from the very beginning my journey was filled with challenges. When I was born, a midwife delivered me, but there were complications. I wasn’t breathing or crying. Desperate to revive me, they dipped me in hot water, then cold water, back and forth, hoping for a reaction. Finally, after several attempts, I let out my first cry. At that moment, they rushed me to the hospital. Even after surviving that first challenge, I faced delays in my development. But through it all, I learned perseverance. My struggles shaped me, and I refused to let them define my limits.” 

Dr. William Wynn didn’t speak his first words until he was three years old. Born with a hearing impairment, he could have seen it as a setback, but instead, he calls it a blessing. “Kids can be cruel. Sometimes in school, they make fun of you if you look or speak differently. But I’ve always turned those challenges into opportunities. Yes, I stand out, but I choose to do so in a positive way.” 

During his early years, Dr. Wynn took speech classes, challenged himself to excel, and worked diligently to speak with confidence. What would have been obstacles for many, he saw as opportunities for growth, and the foundation for his resilience and determination – qualities he now uses to inspire and guide his students and staff. 

“I participated in oratorical contests in middle school, which led me to do more public speaking. That experience gave me the confidence to run for student body president in both middle school and high school, and I won. I joined the debate team and the foreign relations team, and I was invited to speak to different groups. Over time, I’ve spoken in front of thousands of people, giving presentations. I took what could have been a negative and turned it into a strength.” 

Dr. Wynn’s dream was clear: to hear his name called for something truly extraordinary. But he understood that achieving greatness required more than just ambition; it demanded sacrifice, humility, and the courage to put his pride aside. With every step, he knew that the road to success wasn’t easy, but he embraced the challenge. “If I didn’t get first place, I’d settle for second, knowing that next time, I’d aim for first. But hearing my name called, that was the goal. I was fortunate to have people who believed in me – my mom, my dad, and my grandparents. They told me I could do it. Nobody really ever told me I couldn’t,” said Wynn. 

But there was one situation that really challenged him in eighth grade. “There was a big event at my middle school: the school-wide play. Every year, all the popular kids would be in it, and we’d compete against other middle schools. Being in the play was a huge deal, so I auditioned for a part. I was good, no doubt about it,” shared Dr. Wynn. But right before the competition, a teacher pulled him aside and said he needed to be the understudy. “The teacher told me, ‘I think people might not understand you on the day of the play, so I’m giving the role to someone else.’ That hit me hard, and it made me question a lot of things. 

“Two weeks later, there was another big event, the oratorical contest. I went for it and ended up beating the person who had taken my part in the play. Afterward, I went back to that teacher, and she said, ‘You were very good!’ But I couldn’t help but think, ‘But I wasn’t good enough to be in the play?’” 

That moment taught Dr. Wynn something important that he shares with kids today: “Sometimes you don’t need to just tell people what you can do. You need to show them with your actions. It’s one thing to say you’re good, but it’s something else entirely to prove it. That’s how I learned to always show up and give my best, no matter what.” 

After graduating from Brunswick High School in Virginia, Dr. Wynn attended North Carolina Central University and initially pursued pre-med but later decided to follow in his mother’s footsteps, who was in education for 48 years. After substituting, he eventually took a teaching job. “I started teaching high school, I fell in love with it. And here I am, many years later, still in education.” 

What made him a successful and beloved teacher was his ability to recognize that students thrive on structure and consistency. This understanding helped create a secure and predictable environment where students knew what to expect, which helped him gain his students’ trust and allowed them to focus on learning. His commitment to routines provided stability and helped students feel more comfortable, especially in a challenging school setting. I asked Dr. Wynn to take us through a typical week of structure in his classroom. “Monday through Friday, they knew what to expect, and they thrived on that structure. One day, I decided to shake things up a little bit. I started the class differently than usual, thinking it might be a good change. About 20 minutes into the class, one brave student raised her hand and asked, ‘Mr. Wynn, are you okay today? We’ve never done it like this before. Isn’t today supposed to be Tuesday?’ That’s when it really hit me; they needed that routine. No matter what was going on in their lives outside the classroom, they needed to know what to expect when they came into my class.” 

That moment taught me how important routine was for them. Even though they were high school students, they needed that structure, something familiar they could count on every day. It was a valuable lesson that stayed with me throughout my teaching journey.” 

Dr. Wynn continued, “One of the main reasons I wanted to become a principal is because I realized that, as a teacher, I was only one part of the equation. While I could provide structure and consistency in my classroom, I started to think about what was going on in the rest of the building. How could I ensure that students had the same opportunities to thrive outside of my classroom? It became clear to me that the impact of a single teacher extends far beyond their own space, and I wanted to create an environment where students could feel supported and have access to the same sense of stability and growth throughout the school.” 

He is now the beloved principal at Thomasville High School. In the beginning, he saw something special in the school, the staff and the students. Today, it has blossomed into a thriving community with a strong, positive culture. “When you get the chance to talk to our kids, to spend time with them, and start building connections and relationships, you realize that they just want an opportunity. They don’t need a lot, just one. They want to know they matter. All kids want that. They want to know they’ll be okay. There’s a lot of passion at Thomasville High School, and a rich legacy in athletics and other areas. There’s a definite sense of pride here.” 

When I asked Dr. Wynn how he would like to be remembered after retirement, his response was both humble and powerful: “It’s not about me, it’s about WE. We make this school successful together. The staff, the students and the committed parents. It’s all about WE.” 

His words reflect the essence of true leadership, one that thrives on collaboration, unity and a shared commitment to excellence. His leadership is a reminder that success isn’t defined by the efforts of one, but by the strength and determination of an entire community. Together, we rise, and together, we make a lasting impact.  

My Phenomenal Person of the Week is Dr. William Wynn.