Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary and North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary

Name: Catherine Middleton, interim co-principal at Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary and interim principal at North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary.

Age: 59.

Family: Husband, Lewis Middleton; son, Blake; and daughter, Mary Catherine.

Experience: 38th year. Taught in Georgetown County for seven years; at James B. Edwards in Mount Pleasant for 10 years; Title I consultant for Charleston schools for five years; lead teacher at North Charleston Elementary for one year; and assistant principal at Ashley River Creative Arts for 14 years.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in history with a minor in secondary education from Winthrop University; master’s degree in elementary education from the University of South Carolina Coastal Campus; Educational Leadership and Supervision certification and additional 45 hours from The Citadel.

Why I wanted to go into education: I love getting children excited about learning and reading. Motivating students to be the best they can be and helping them find their areas of strength builds confident learners who will be successful and productive citizens. My mother taught for 30 years and I had some amazing teachers who instilled that same love in me.

Something I’ve always wanted to learn: How to play the piano.

Something most people don’t know about me: I am a breast cancer survivor. I am 15 years out now, and that experience helped me get to where I am.

Something important life has taught me: I have a very strong faith and believe that God walks with me every day. We may not know the plan, but he does, and I have to trust in him to give me the strength and wisdom to do the things that need to be done.

A specific goal for this year: We have added second grade at North Charleston Creative Arts. My goal is to help provide a wonderful learning environment at both schools, to continue to achieve excellence at both schools through partnerships with the community, the parents and by inspiring students to do the best they can each day.

Contact info: catherine_middleton@charleston.k12.sc.us or at Ashley River, 763-1555; or at North Charleston Creative Arts, 529-2831.

Compiled by Diette Courrégé