Philo-Hill Magnet Academy gets new principal
Benika Thompson will be the new principal at Philo-Hill Magnet Academy.
Thompson has served as the Science Program Manager for the district since 2010. Prior to that, she was the Curriculum Coordinator at Jefferson Middle School from 2009. She started her career with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools as a teacher at Philo Middle School in 2001.
“We are excited to return Dr. Thompson as a leader to the place where she began her career as an educator,” said Dr. Beverly Emory, WS/FCS Superintendent. “Her vision and passion for Philo-Hill, and her strong grasp of how to deliver engaging and challenging instruction for middle school students uniquely position her to champion the transformation efforts so strongly desired for the school.”
Emory says Thompson will be an integral part of the district’s transformation of Philo-Hill. In the coming school year Philo-Hill will be the recipient of a grant that will allow every student and teacher to be equipped with a tablet for the next two years. Philo-Hill is also one of the schools scheduled for major facility improvements and upgrades as part of the second phase of the 2016 bond referendum. Starting this year, Thompson and her team will begin the design process with the district for the $20 million worth of facility upgrades.
“It is an honor to be a part of the visionary team for the new Philo-Hill Magnet Academy,” said Thompson. “Our students, teachers, parents, and the community will soon have the opportunity to engage in the metamorphosis of our school into a premiere academy where efficacious learning is created and achieved. My personal motto is ‘Believe. Learn. Become.’ As principal, I will be dedicated to revitalizing the synergy between Philo-Hill Magnet Academy and all community stakeholders to achieve the goals and mission of our school.”
Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a master’s degree from the Appalachian State University and a doctoral degree in education from the University of Phoenix.
