Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

Principal Quick Takes New Position, Says Goodbye To High Country

Story by Garrett Simmons

Principal Angela Quick will be leaving Watauga High School at the end of this school year to accept a position as academic advisor with the N.C. Deputy of Public Instruction. Photo by Garrett Simmons. As the school year comes to a close, Principal Angela Quick is finishing her last few months at Watauga High School. Quick recently announced that she has accepted a position as deputy chief academic advisor with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.

Having earned her teaching degree at Appalachian State University and completed her semester of student teaching at Watauga High School, Quick said the High Country has been a significant place in her life. “I have always loved the diversity of this area,” said Quick. “On the surface, it looks just like any other place, but the thoughts and ideas, the interests of the people who live here are all so diverse. I will truly miss that aspect of this area.”

Having previously worked in math and science departments in Georgia and Columbia, S.C., Quick entered the Watauga school system in 2005. Marshall Gasperson, who is now director of student services, was an assistant principal at Watauga High School during Quick’s first year. Gasperson remembered Quick as being a welcome change in the school system. “Angela introduced a 21st century mindset,” he said. “She initiated several reforms in outdated curriculum, and achieved a lot of changes in a short time. She will be greatly missed.”

Quick said that while she is proud of the changes that she and her administration achieved, her most significant accomplishments occurred in the classroom. “The greatest rewards are seen working one-on-one with students,” she said. “The satisfaction is like none other. I think that is what I will miss most.”

Recalling the many trials during her time as principal, Quick said she would never forget her first day on the job. “That morning there was a blackout at the school,” she said. “Something as simple as not having the class-change bells made the day very interesting. There are dozens of unexpected difficulties that, looking back, made the job fun.”

In her new position, Quick will be working in a broader education scope, studying and adjusting K-12 curriculum and testing practices. Quick said she is excited for the opportunity because it will allow her to incorporate current teaching practices from other educational systems. Quick said, “I have always been fascinated with education, in the sense that there are so many possibilities. This position will allow me to analyze other methods and develop new strategies.”

Quick said she is excited, but will miss many of the people she will be leaving. “The staff at the high school are incredible,” she said. “They are such a dynamic group, and of course I will miss my students.”