Rockingham County Schools News Release • February 26, 2025 • S. Gladieux, Director of Safety & PIO
(Rockingham County, NC) – Dr. Star Norton joined the field of education in 2011. Norton graduated from Ferrum College in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts with a double-minor in teacher education and psychology. At Ferrum, she served as class president for three years and vice president for one year. In 2014, Norton earned a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Liberty University. In December of 2020, she earned her doctorate from Virginia Tech in educational leadership and policy studies. She is the first in her family to graduate from high school and college.
Norton has served in various education roles, including as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. As an educator, Norton is an experienced turn around school principal who has exceeded academic growth in her previous principal positions since 2016 in high needs Title I Schools. Most recently, Norton served as the principal of John W. Dillard Academy beginning in June of 2023. John W. Dillard Academy was identified as an exceeding growth school for the 2024-2025 academic year based on academic performance from the 2023-2024 end of grade assessment results.
Dr. Norton has written several works including her dissertation, published a chapter in the Handbook of Social Justice Interventions in Education with Dr. Carol Mullen, has been featured by the Virginia Department of Education for her work with the Comprehensive Needs Assessment process (CNA), serves as a guest speaker for doctoral cohorts to provide guidance and support, and has shared her work in the field of education with many organizations such as the Society of Professors by hosting sessions at conferences. Her research interests include social and emotional learning, social justice, student-teacher relationships, school culture and climate, diversity and inclusion.
Dr. Norton is thrilled to continue working with Rockingham County Public Schools as the next Director of the Exceptional Children Program. She looks forward to continued success, growth, and partnerships with the community to support positive learning outcomes for students.
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