Halifax County Schools this week recognized the award of Assistant Superintendent Tyrana Battle as one of the honorees of Halifax Community College’s recent Local African American Hero celebration.
Kimberly Mack, special assistant to the president for governmental community and college affairs at HCC, presented the award to Battle.
Battle earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She earned her Masters of School Administration degree from East Carolina University, an Educational Specialist Advanced Degree from East Carolina University, and a Doctor of Education Degree from North Carolina State University.
Her licensure areas include middle grades education, curriculum instructional specialist, K-12 principal, and superintendent.
She has served as a North Carolina representative for the Council of Chief State School Officers in Washington, D.C., and has also served as a state representative for the Assessing Special Education Students Committee in Washington.
She was recognized by the National Association of Federal Educators with a statewide leadership award for mentoring in the federal programs.
Battle serves as a transformational leader in northeastern North Carolina and her employment history includes northeast regional accountability coordinator for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Division of Accountability Services. She has also served as a testing specialist, teacher, mentor, coach, school executive trainer, professional development coordinator, event planner, principal mentor, and entrepreneur for a small catering company. She is married to William G. Battle, and they have two daughters, Zaniya and Zamiya.
She is the daughter of Ben and Anna Byrd of Enfield.
Employee of the month
Rhonda Arrington is the February district employee of the month.
She serves as a bus driver and substitute teacher for Scotland Neck Elementary Leadership Academy.
She safely transports students to and from school and coordinates with other drivers when extra routes are needed.
"Ms. Arrington is very familiar with the community and has a good relationship with students,” principal Angela Battle said.
Superintendent Eric Cunningham said, “I am so proud of Ms. Arrington for her dedication and service to Halifax County Schools. It is greatly appreciated.”
Arrington was appreciative of the honor. “I’m so happy. I have been driving the bus for 15 years, and this is the first time I have been recognized as employee of the month. I am so thankful to Scotland Neck Elementary Leadership Academy and will continue to do my best. So happy, thank you, Lord.”
Student of the month
The February student of the month is Zanae Dewar, a fifth-grader at Hollister Elementary Leadership Academy.
Zanae has been selected as student of the month because she leads by example in all aspects — academically and socially.
She is always willing to give a helping hand to her peers.
“I am so proud of Zanae for excelling inside of the classroom. Continue to strive for five,” Cunningham said.
Zanae says her favorite subject is math. “I love math because it challenges me and is easy to understand.”
Her favorite hobbies are painting, drawing, reading Dork Diaries, and playing video games.
Her advice for other students is “to become leaders, be independent, work hard, and achieve their goals.”
Zanae's thoughts about school and being selected as student of the month are, “Each day can be different, but most days are fun. I love school because I enjoy learning new topics. I am excited to be student of the month. I think I deserve it.”
