With a sense of commitment to the children and citizens of Johnston County, Terri Sessoms announces her intention Friday to run for a seat on the Johnston County Public Schools Board of Education.
As a retired educator from the Johnston County Schools, Terri brings her love of all children, their families, and the citizens of Johnston County. She believes that her 32 years of experience in public education as an award winning teacher, leader, and national consultant can help Johnston County continue to be a place where people are proud to reside, raise families, and do business.
She brings a successful working knowledge of classroom best practices, effective school leadership, school budget, facilities maintenance, community partnerships, parent involvement, etc. Serving as both a national curriculum consultant and a teacher on loan throughout the state has provided valuable curriculum and leadership expertise that she would like to contribute as she serves those who work with our students. Fulfilling her roles as Johnston County Schools Teacher of the Year (Flame for Learning) and the NC PTA Outstanding Teacher of the Year has given her a county and statewide perspective on how to support families, educators, and children as they advocate for successful schools within our communities.
“Johnston County has been so good to me throughout the years, that I want to give back through my service to our greatest natural resource – our children and the people who work with them every day. I believe our greatest legacy is to help every child succeed so they become citizens who build strong communities of the future. “
Positions Held:
Public Information Officer/Senior Cabinet Member to Superintendent, Johnston County Schools
Professional Growth Facilitator, Johnston County Schools
Framework of Poverty Trainer
Teacher Leadership Trainer
Total Quality Trainer
Superintendent’s Monthly Teacher Advisory Council – Coordinator and Facilitator
Teaming for Professional Learning Communities Trainer
Beginning Teacher Coordinator
Mentor Training
Teacher Induction
Online Moodle Mentor/Mentee Course Development
Curriculum/Literacy Coach – Four Oaks Elementary
Assistant Principal/Curriculum Coordinator – Corinth Holders School (Prek-8th grade)
Teacher on Loan – North Carolina Partnership for Excellence (Gov. Jim Hunt’s Office)
School Improvement Team (Member and Chair) – Corinth Holders and Four Oaks Elementary
Elementary Teacher – Corinth Holders, McGee’s Crossroads, Four Oaks Elementary
HOTS Teacher – Smithfield Selma Middle
Reading Teacher – Flat Creek School, A.C. Reynolds Middle, Smithfield Selma Middle
High School Science and English Teacher – Success Academy (Private Residential School)
Accomplishments and Contributions
Senior Consultant and Master Teacher: International Center for Leadership in Education
Co-Authored Reading in the Content Areas: Boosting Achievement in Grades 7-12
ICLE-Scholastic
NCSPRA Electronic Media – Statewide Communications Award
NC Public School Forum – “Literacy Across the Content Areas “ Train the Trainer
Statewide Collaborative Project for NC Low Wealth School Systems
LASER i3 presenter – Statewide Science Initiative “ Literacy within Science Instruction”
National Science Conference – “Building Literacy within Science Instruction
National, State, and Local Conferences : Virtual Mentoring the Beginning Teacher
James B. Hunt Outstanding Teacher of the Year – NC PTA Award: Impact on NC Schools
Order of the Long Leaf Pine – Governor’s Award for Exemplary Service to NC Schools
National Partnership’s Coalition Award for Excellence in Public School Training
Flame for Learning Award – Creativity and Innovation in the Classroom
Johnston County Schools Teacher of the Year
Johnston County Schools Leadership Award
Govenor’s Award – Order of the Long Leaf Pine (30 years of exemplary service to NC Public Schools)
Flat Creek Teacher of the Year
Delta Kappa Gamma: Honorary Society in Education (President, Vice President, Chair)
NCAE – Member, Treasurer, President
NCAE – Chairman of State Committee (Women’s Concerns and Leadership)
Legislative Liaison for Education Committee – NC General Assembly
NEA – National Trainer for Teacher Leadership Development
Community
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Member, Vestry, Daughters of the King, Episcopal Church Women, Labryinth Memorial Committee)
GREAT – Community Improvement Graham County (Tourism and Education committees)
Volunteer – South Smithfield Elementary
Volunteer – Dixon Road Elementary
United Way Board of Directors
Smithfield Selma Chamber of Commerce – Education Committee
Education
Western Carolina University
NC State University
