Longtime school employee leaves

By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer Clay County Schools is about to lose an employee of 29 years, but she is not going far. By the end of June, Angel Owens will be Superintendent of Cherokee County Schools. Owens actually grew up in Cherokee County Schools, from Peachtree Elementary School to Murphy High School graduation, and still has family throughout the county. “This district and community have always been personal to me,” she said. “I understand firsthand the values, traditions and pride that make this area special.” Owens started as a teacher assistant Jan. 28, 1997. Before that role, she was a part time substitute for Clay and Cherokee County. “Since 1997, the campus has been a central part of my professional life, but also my family’s life. Like many educators, I spent countless summers, evenings and weekends preparing for students, setting up classrooms, planning lessons, grading, organizing materials and preparing for special events,” she explained. “My daughters grew up here. They were often with me while I worked or participating in activities of their own. My youngest daughter started in campus daycare at four weeks old.” Owens’ current job is actually many roles. As Chief Officer of Human Resources and Federal Programs for Clay County Schools, she oversees Human Resources, Federal Programs, Exceptional Children, licensure, the N.C. Educator Evaluation System, known as NCEES. She also handles district support services and oversees multiple state and federal grants. “Over the years, I have served as District 504 Coordinator, Homeless Liaison, AIG Coordinator and EL Coordinator,” she explained. “I have spent my entire career working in public education in western North Carolina, and I have advanced from teacher assistant to classroom teacher and eventually into district leadership. I also served as a bus driver and athletic coach throughout my career, driving a bus while serving as a district administrator during our driver shortage when we returned to face-to-face instruction following mandated COVID closures.” She had driven a bus while she was a teacher, then she resumed her driving duties during a driver shortage. She still sometimes rides along as bus monitor. In addition, she was Hayesville High School’s assistant softball coach and team bus driver for a time, and worked as a school technology technician during summers. When there were opportunities, she did after school tutoring. “My journey has taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance and servant leadership,” she said. “I have served under five different superintendents in 12 years, including one who served as interim superintendent on three separate occasions,” she said. “As executive leadership roles and responsibilities shifted during those transitions, the scope of my involvement in various initiatives also evolved. Depending on the district’s organizational structure and priorities at the time, I participated in a wide range of professional and community activities, including many boards and community roles.” During her career, Owens has earned an Associate in Arts from Tri-County Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Western Carolina University, her Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. “I also achieved National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist. In addition, I hold North Carolina licenses in Superintendent, Principal, Exceptional Children Program Administration, Elementary Education and Exceptional Children General Curriculum,” she added. She was a single parent when most of her accomplishments occurred. Her daughters are very proud. Her oldest, Tiffany Valiente, is like a proud parent. ”Watching my mom rise from classroom assistant to superintendent over a 29-year career has been the honor of my life. Cherokee County is incredibly lucky to have her and I know she will bring the same fierce dedication to her new students and staff that she has always given to Clay County and our family.” Daughter, Dr. Hillary Little, agreed. “I’m in awe of all of the hard work my mom has put into her career to get to this point. I know she truly cares about providing the best education for all students and think Cherokee County can help her do that on a larger scale. I’m incredibly proud of her.” Owens’ experience makes her well-qualified. Yet it will be different going from a school system where all schools are on one campus, to one which is spread from Andrews to Hiwassee Dam. “You do what you have to do to lead and support staff,” she laughed. “Maintaining that many physical buildings is already a challenge for the district financially. It’s an issue for staff and students but also taxpayers who have questions about why the district is doing this or that. Loyalties to each community’s schools run deep and everyone wants to save their home school. I attended Peachtree when it burned in 1985. Many of my family attended there. We fought hard for our school to be rebuilt because of loyalty. So, I’ve been there. I also know my duty as superintendent will be to make the best decision for all students in the district. My perspective and decisions will have to come from a fiscal and educational need rather than an emotional perspective.” She continued. “My philosophy is centered on trust, transparency, accountability and shared responsibility. Effective leadership means supporting employees, communicating clearly, making decisions with integrity and always keeping students at the center. I want every employee, from custodians and bus drivers to teachers, administrators and district leadership to understand they are a stakeholder in every student’s success. Shared ownership creates the foundation for a strong, high-performing school system where students and staff can succeed. Education is challenging and staff members give so much of themselves daily. Everyone matters and everyone contributes to students’ success.” She is excited to return to Cherokee County Schools. “To provide strong district leadership. At the same time, I will always be grateful for the people of Clay County who have supported me, challenged me and helped shape my career and my family’s life. That is why this transition is bittersweet. It is a new beginning filled with opportunity, but it is also saying goodbye to a community which means so much to me.” She added. “Clay County Schools has been my home away from home for nearly three decades. Beyond the buildings and classrooms, it is the people who have made Clay County Schools so special. Over the years, coworkers became friends, and many became like family. When you spend much of your life serving alongside people, you build relationships that are difficult to leave behind — sort of like watching a child leave home to begin the next chapter of life. There is excitement, anticipation and hope for what lies ahead, but also a sense of loss because you are leaving behind something and someone you deeply care about.” Clay Schools Superintendent Melissa Godfrey expressed best wishes. “I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Angel on being named superintendent of Cherokee County Schools. During her 29 years with Clay County Schools, she has made a lasting impact on students, staff and community through her dedication, leadership and commitment to public education. She has been a valued colleague whose contributions have helped strengthen our schools and create opportunities for students to succeed. We are grateful for her many years of service and the positive influence she has had on our district. As she begins this new role, I wish her continued success.” When asked for a special memory from Clay, Owens replied, “There are so many I can’t really pinpoint one. I can say when I was first hired, I had been subbing and the elementary school principal called me and said a high school teacher had given him my name and shared how he’d watched my matter-a-fact manner of handling students and knew they were looking for a TA and told him I’d be a good one to get. I was thrilled someone had recommended me but explained I was finishing up my two-year degree and my plans were to earn a middle school math and computer science degree. I was subbing to get familiar with all the schools and as part-time work. I turned the job down, then called my mom to share my excitement of a job offer. She said, ‘Why didn’t you accept? I’ve heard it’s very hard to get on in Clay County. That’s a great way to get your foot in the door.’ I called the principal back and asked if I could change my mind. He offered to let me sub with kindergarten and the teacher to see if I was a good fit.” She loved every minute and learned she could handle the younger kids. “The Ah-Ha of everyday learning amazed me and encouraged me. I was hired and quickly began the plan to earn my elementary education degree. She earned her two year degree and her teaching degree eight years later. “It wasn’t easy and I spent a lot of late nights after getting my kids’ routines finished and tucked in bed to do my school work. I wouldn’t change a thing about it. My journey has been one that I won’t say was easy, but it has built character, perseverance and tenacity in my personal view of how to get the job done no matter what position I’m in.” Owens loves spending time with friends and family. “They have supported me in so many ways throughout my life and career, and they bring joy to my life every single day,” she smiled. She enjoys sports of all kinds, doing home projects, planting and watching things grow. She is moving back to Peachtree where she is already planning her summer garden. That is the same area where she lived in Ledford’s Trailer Park until they moved across the road to her great-grandfather’s farm when she was about nine. She remembers playing in the creek and walking to her granny’s house or riding her bike to her nanny’s store, Peachtree Farm and Home Supply. “I’m a homegrown Peachtree girl who has been back in Peachtree at least once a week for the past 35 years,” she said. “I am deeply rooted in family values and family time. We are very tight-knit and always there to help one another; I treat my work family the same. I am never afraid to roll my sleeves up to do work needing done, and never ask anyone to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. I never back down from a challenge. I love what I do and I am enthusiastic about the work we have to do for the students of Cherokee County. I can’t wait to get started.” Owens continued. “I applied for the superintendent position because Cherokee County is home, and I care deeply about the community and schools’ future. This opportunity is both professional and personal to me. I believe Cherokee County Schools plays a vital role in preparing students for successful futures while strengthening the community as a whole. I felt my experience in district leadership, finance, Human Resources, and student support services prepared me to help lead the district forward while continuing to build on the strong foundation already there. With over 29 years experience, people will ask if I'm ready to retire. My answer is simply, not yet. I am not one to sit still for long and the idea of going home for good just doesn't appeal to me. I know I have several years left in me to positively impact our schools.” Owens ended. “Ultimately, I look forward to building relationships, supporting our employees and helping create opportunities for every student to succeed. That is the work that excites me the most.”