Martin County High School’s lead administrator, Grantley Mizelle, took the Principal of the Year title.
The former MCS teacher and South Creek High School football coach returned to the district in 2023 as principal of the then Riverside High School.
The Bertie County native came to the district from the Edenton-Chowan School District, where he had served as an assistant principal since 2020 and was selected Assistant Principal of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year.
Mr Mizelle and his team successfully brought two schools together to create one family. “He exhibited the leadership to unify two staffs and empowered the new school family in a manner that contributed to an amazing merger and unprecedented success for our children.
Mizelle is licensed in health and physical education and school administration and has 16 years of career experience.
Assistant Principal of the Year honors also went to a Martin County High School team member.
Chris Stanton, a former music teacher in Martin and surrounding counties, was named Assistant Principal of the Year.
Stanton taught music at various schools in Martin County between 2010 and 2017 and later began his pursuit of school administration credentials.
He returned to Martin County in 2023 as Assistant Principal at Riverside High School, now Martin County High School. Stanton holds professional licensure in Music (K-12) and School Administration. He has 18 years of education experience overall.
White added, “Mr Stanton has proven to be an invaluable asset to Martin County High School. His high energy, constant visibility, and continuous support for teachers and students are both undeniable and refreshing.”
Teacher of the Year honors went to Raven Cole, Band Director at South Creek Middle School.
“Raven has been an integral part of strengthening our middle school band program and ensuring students at South Creek Middle School receive the best music education possible,” said Dr. Michelle White. “She works tirelessly to help our middle school band program grow and keep a balance between our two schools.”
April Joyner, Family and Consumer Science Teacher at Martin County High School, was named the Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year for Martin County Schools. She was also chosen as the high school’s Teacher of Excellence for this year.
Joyner has also been named a nominee for the NCCAT 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Career & Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award.
“We are thrilled to see Ms. April Joyner recognized for her incredible work in the classroom and in preparing students for technical skill competitions,” explained Jason Wynne, MCS Career and Technical Education Director. “CTE is a critical pathway for our students, and this recognition reflects the high-quality instruction happening across the MCS CTE program. She is an excellent ambassador for Martin County Schools, and we wish her well in state-level competition.”
Doug Bullock, from the MCS Technology Department, was chosen as the district’s Classified Staff Person of the Year. A product of Martin County Schools, Bullock joined our Technology
Department in 2008 and has helped the district through countless transitions. He is an excellent example of how someone in a non-teaching role can make a tremendous impact on students and staff.
“Beyond his technical expertise, what truly makes him exceptional is his character. He is kind, thoughtful, and considerate—even when facing the demands of frustrated individuals who are struggling with technology issues,” explained Dr. Michelle White. “He listens, responds with empathy, and brings calm and confidence to every situation. His professionalism and patience are just as valuable as his skill set. That’s the kind of dedication that doesn’t just support a school system—it sustains it.”
See all the highlights from the celebration at https://bit.ly/MCSCelebration.
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