FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Congratulations to Mrs. Whitney Sharlow, principal of Southern Middle School, who has been selected as the 2026-2027 Person County Schools Principal of the Year.
Mrs. Sharlow brings more than two decades of experience in education to her leadership at Southern Middle School. She joined Person County Schools in 2003 as a science teacher at Person High School, where she taught for 12 years. During her time at Person High, she was named the school’s Teacher of the Year and was also recognized as the Person County Runner-Up Teacher of the Year in 2014.
In 2015, Mrs. Sharlow transitioned from the classroom to instructional leadership, serving as an instructional facilitator at Southern Middle School. She became assistant principal at Southern in 2017 before moving to Helena Elementary School, where she served as assistant principal from 2019 to 2022. In 2022, Mrs. Sharlow was named principal of South Elementary School, where she led the school through significant academic growth and improvement. Under her leadership, South moved from a D to a C on the North Carolina School Report Card, ultimately reaching a school performance score of 65. The school was also recognized as one of North Carolina’s Top Ten schools through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program for closing achievement gaps and earned America’s Healthiest Schools recognition in both 2023 and 2024. This fall, Mrs. Sharlow returned to Southern Middle School, this time as principal.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Sharlow has focused on building strong relationships, developing educators, removing barriers for students, and maintaining high expectations for every child. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in knowing students and staff personally, using data to guide improvement, and creating school cultures in which people feel supported while also being challenged to grow. As she shared in her Principal of the Year portfolio, “They can, and they will—we just have to believe it first.”
Mrs. Sharlow earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Science Education from North Carolina State University. She holds a Master of Education in Science Education from East Carolina University and a Master of School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she participated in the PPEERS Principal Fellows Program. She is also a North Carolina Teaching Fellow and North Carolina Principal Fellow.
Superintendent Dr. Rodney Peterson shared, “We are incredibly proud to recognize Mrs. Whitney Sharlow as the 2026-2027 Person County Schools Principal of the Year. Mrs. Sharlow is an exceptional leader whose career reflects an unwavering belief in the potential of students and the people who serve them. Her leadership at South Elementary demonstrated what is possible when high expectations are paired with strong relationships, intentional instructional leadership, and a commitment to removing barriers for students. While the academic growth achieved under her leadership is impressive, what stands out just as much is the culture she builds around that work. Mrs. Sharlow knows her students, invests in her staff, engages families and the community, and creates a shared belief that every child can succeed. We are excited to see her bring that same passion and leadership back to Southern Middle School, and we are honored to have her represent Person County Schools as our Principal of the Year.”
On being named Principal of the Year, Mrs. Sharlow shared, “Being selected as Person County Schools Principal of the Year is such an honor, especially knowing the incredible leaders we have in our district. My time at South Elementary will always hold a special place in my heart. I’m so proud of what we accomplished together and thankful for the staff, students, and families who trusted me and grew alongside me. Now, I’m honored to serve the Southern Middle community and excited about what we will accomplish together. I’ve always believed a principal is only as strong as their team, and I’m lucky to work with the best at both schools. This recognition reflects the work of so many people, and I’m grateful to be a small part of it.”
For more information about Person County Schools, visit www.person.k12.nc.us, or contact Erin Hill, Person County Schools Director of Marketing and Engagement.
---
Media Contact:
Erin Hill, Director of Marketing and Engagement
304 South Morgan Street, Roxboro, NC 27573
Phone: 336-599-2191 ext. 22110
About Person County Schools
Person County Schools serves more than 4,500 students across 14 schools in Person County, North Carolina. Guided by its mission to prepare students for success in a changing world, the district is committed to providing equitable educational opportunities that empower students to think critically, communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and become engaged citizens. Through strong partnerships with families and the community, Person County Schools prepares graduates for success in college, careers, and life.