Although her presence won't be permanent, the impact that interim Principal Josie Davis is making at North Edgecombe High School will carry on.

"I want to get the school year started on a positive note so everyone is functioning at their best," Davis said.

After former NEHS principal Derrick Jordan left to take a position with the state Department of Public Instruction, Davis stepped in to help.

"They see Mr. Jordan's move as him being successful and upwardly mobile. Though they miss him, they are happy that he was able to get a promotion and grow and stretch," Davis said.

Since Davis started the position in August, she said that the school has welcomed her with open arms.

"I've been made to feel that this school is one big happy family and everyone is working towards the goal of having a good teaching, learning experience," Davis said.

"... because of the sense of family that's here, everyone tends to work together for the good of the whole."

The positivity that Davis heard about the parents, staff, faculty and students of NEHS is what led her to the position after she was approached by Roland Whitted, associate superintendent of human resources, to consider the job.

"I've always heard positive things about this school," Davis said.

"This school does have a veteran faculty that's interested in student success."

The faculty aren't the only ones interested in the success of the students at the school according to Davis' philosophy.

"My philosophy is all students are capable of learning and achieving," Davis said.

To ensure that all the students are reaching their learning potential, Davis works to ensure students, teachers, parents and guardians are pleased with the learning environment at NEHS.

Davis tries to make sure that each party has the materials, knowledge and resources needed to produce the best results for teaching and learning.

"I want to make the community feel apart of the school as the school prepares students to take their places in the community," Davis said.