Crystal Epps of Mary Scroggs Elementary School (MSES) has been named the 2019-2020 principal of the year by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools system.

Chosen by her peers, Epps will represent CHCCS at the state level for consideration as the North
Carolina Principal of the Year.

Crystal Epps (Photo via CHCCS)

CHCCS Interim Superintendent, Dr. Jim Causby, said that Epps has provided ‘strong, creative leadership’ in the district for many years.

“She blends extensive experience in PBIS, equity work and data analysis with a passion for elevating her school’s culture and identity,” Causby said.

Epps became principal at MSES in 2014, after serving as assistant principal at Frank Porter Graham Elementary School and Rashkis Elementary School.

According to a CHCCS press release, during her time as principal, Epps has led MSES with a sharp focus on culturally proficient instruction and restorative practices in the classrooms.

The release reads “Her emphasis on providing strong professional development and encouraging innovative pedagogy is reflected in two of the past three CHCCS Teachers of the Year coming from MSES, Jasmine Johnson and Eugenia Floyd.”

Epps began her career in education 20 years ago as an elementary grades teacher in the Bronx, N.Y., after earning a B.S. at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an M.A. in Elementary Education from Mercy College.

Moving to North Carolina in 2003, she took teaching positions in Burlington and Efland before accepting her first CHCCS classroom at Ephesus Elementary School. She left Ephesus to join the
planning team that helped open Morris Grove Elementary, where she was named the 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year.

Photo via WTOC.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
CHCCS: Award-Winning Principal Selected to Lead Chapel Hill High School
Chapel Hill High School has found its latest permanent principal. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education formally approved the hiring of Steven Sullivan from North Brunswick High School at its meeting Thursday night. Sullivan has more than two decades of school leadership experience, according to CHCCS, and has earned Principal of the Year […]
CHCCS Board of Education Approves Site Plans for Carrboro Elementary Replacement Project
Carrboro Elementary School is not in talks for which CHCCS elementary school will close, with plans to replace the existing building instead.
CHCCS Board of Education Weighs Closing 2 Elementary Schools Amid Enrollment, Funding Declines
The CHCCS Board of Education began its latest round of feedback on Feb. 5 about how to approach closing at least one elementary school in the face of waning enrollment and funding challenges.
CHCCS, Orange County Schools on 2-Hour Delay for Thursday as Districts Monitors Overnight Precipitation
With the threat of wintry mix and freezing temperatures on Wednesday night, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools announced it will operate on a two-hour delay for Thursday morning.
CHCCS on Remote Learning, Chatham and Orange County Schools Closed After Weekend Winter Storm
After Winter Storm Gianna dumped several inches of snow across central North Carolina Saturday, school districts across the community have announced closures for Monday, Feb. 2. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools will have a remote learning day on Monday. Middle and high schoolers will use synchronous instruction, meaning teachers will meet with students through live virtual sessions. […]
CHCCS, Orange, and Chatham County Schools Announce Additional Remote Learning Day Wednesday
CHCCS announced that Wednesday, Jan. 28 will be another remote-learning day following Winter Storm Fern.
CHCCS, Orange and Chatham County Schools Announce Remote-Learning Day Jan. 27 Due to Icy Conditions
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools will each hold a remote-learning day on Tuesday, Jan. 27, as a result of icy conditions from Winter Storm Fern.
Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Board Chair Riza Jenkins
Chair of the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Board of Education Riza Jenkins spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, January 20. She discussed latest meeting of the board, which outlined the process for closing a school within a district, and a presentation on the enrollment and budget data that led to that discussion. She also discussed a couple of recent policy changes that have feedback coming in: the cellphone policy and the change to a block schedule at the secondary level. Andy Jenks also joined to talk about inclement weather procedures and more.
UNC Men's Basketball Collaborates With Hargraves Students to Design Warm-Up Shirts
The UNC men’s basketball team took another road trip Wednesday afternoon, though this one was closer to home than most.
Top Stories Of 2025: Triangle Residents Dazzle Across Television Appearances
From lovely islands to pretty summers and all the way to the Upside Down, the Triangle made its way onto the small screen in a big way this year.
›