Lincoln County Schools

📐 Wild About Volume at West Lincoln High!
Mrs. Wagoner’s Math 3 students brought geometry to life with a creative hands-on project! They constructed animals using 3-D geometric solids, measured each part with precision, and calculated the total volume of their unique creations. The finished projects are now on display in the library—where students can vote for their favorites!

#WeAreLINCOLN #WestLincolnHigh #MathInAction #HandsOnLearning #CreativeClassrooms #GoRebels

🚛✨ Thank you to our amazing community partners!
Lincoln County Schools rolled out the wheels for our annual Careers on Wheels event — bringing hands-on career exploration to every 4th and 7th grader! 🌟

Our students got an up-close look at the incredible careers that keep our community running, from emergency services to construction and beyond. A huge THANK YOU to all the local businesses and organizations who shared their time, talent, and energy to make this day unforgettable! 💙👷‍♀️🚒🚜

Bugg Busters

Cleveland County Lineman Academy

Daylight Electric

Domlan Diesel

Fuller Construction

Howards Creek Fire Department

James River Equipment

Lincoln County EMT

Lincoln County Environmental

Lincoln County Medical Examiner

Lincoln County Public Works

Lincoln County SWAT

MBA Roofing

NC Forest Rangers

New South Tractor

The Great Outdoors

Honoring Our Heroes at Iron Station Elementary

Today, Iron Station Elementary hosted a heartfelt Veterans Recognition Program to honor the brave men and women who have served our country. Students, staff, and families came together to celebrate freedom, gratitude, and patriotism through songs, student performances, and personal tributes.

Thank you to our veterans for your service and sacrifice—and to the Iron Station community for showing what it means to lead with respect and appreciation. ❤️💙

#WeAreLINCOLN #VeteransDay #IronStationElementary #ThankYouVeterans

🐻💧 Bear Rescue Mission!

The EC Pre-K class at North Brook Elementary put their problem-solving skills to the test during a fun and engaging “Bear Rescue” activity! Students used fine motor coordination and color recognition to sort and safely rescue the bears from the water. Learning through play builds strong minds and joyful hearts at North Brook! 💙💛

#WeAreLINCOLN #NorthBrookElementary #EarlyLearning #HandsOnLearning #ECPreK

Happy National School Psychology Week!
This week we celebrate our amazing school psychologists who support students’ learning, behavior, and emotional well-being every day. Thank you for your dedication to helping students thrive, supporting staff, and strengthening our school communities. 💙🧠🍎

#WeAreLINCOLN #SchoolPsychologyWeek #ThankYou

🌟 November is Career Development Month! 🌟

Governor Josh Stein has officially proclaimed November as Career Development Month and Career Development Coordinator Day on November 19 — a perfect time to celebrate the incredible people helping our students connect their passions with future possibilities.

This month, we’re spotlighting our five amazing Career Development Coordinators (CDCs) who guide students every day toward brighter futures!

🎓 Meet Beth Ludwig – West Lincoln High School
Beth loves seeing her students light up as they discover career paths that match their passions and strengths. Her best advice? “Always be open to learning and adapting; flexibility can lead to unexpected opportunities.”

When she’s not helping students chart their paths, Beth enjoys reading and watching mysteries — always trying to solve “whodunit” before the final chapter!

💬 Fun fact: Her very first job was as a receptionist for Ron Atchley Photography, earning $2.90 an hour.

Thank you, Beth, for inspiring our students to dream big and stay curious about their futures!

#CareerDevelopmentMonth #WeAreLINCOLN #LCS #CareerReady #LincolnEffect #WLHS #ThankYouCDCs

🚍 Join Our Transportation Team!

Lincoln County Schools has immediate openings for:
✅ Bus Drivers at Lincolnton Middle
✅ Sub Safety Attendants (no bus license needed)

Help us keep students moving safely each day — and make a difference in your community!

📩 For more info, contact:
Jason Cranford, Transportation Coordinator
📧 jason.cranford@lincoln.k12.nc.us

#WeAreLINCOLN #LCS #JoinOurTeam #NowHiring #BusDrivers #SupportStaff #LincolnCountySchools

Start thinking about your career NOW! Participating in a Job Shadowing offers the opportunity to determine if this career is really right for YOU! Job Shadowing is open to all Lincoln County Schools 9th – 12th graders during the month of February 2026! Students should fill out the interest form if you are interested in more information!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCxDK8LdxkO6vEYa5l4F6Yz36VkrwXtEH69wjupn6Z9DIZAA/viewform

🚨 **We’re Hiring!**
Lincoln County Schools has several **newly posted positions** across our district — from teaching and coaching to custodial and transportation roles.

Join a team that makes a difference every day for our students and community! 🌟

📍 Positions include:
• Custodian, Sub Bus Driver – Catawba Springs Elementary
• Head Coach, Women’s Varsity Swim – Lincolnton High
• Head Coach, Softball JV – North Lincoln High
• Head Coach, Men’s Track Varsity – North Lincoln High
• Teacher (EC–Extended Content) – Love Memorial Elementary
• Afternoon–Evening Custodian – Lincolnton High
• EC Bus Driver – Transportation Department
• EC Teacher Assistant, Sub Bus Driver – Childers Elementary
• Teacher Assistant, Sub Bus Driver – Catawba Springs Elementary

🖱️ **Apply online: https://lcsnc.schoolspring.com

⏰📚 Early Release – Wednesday, November 5 📚⏰

Students will be dismissed at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, November 5, for district professional development for staff. Please plan accordingly for transportation and afternoon schedules.

Thank you for your support as our staff engages in learning that helps us better serve our students! 💙🍎
#WeAreLINCOLN #LCS #EarlyRelease

October is AAC Awareness Month!

In order to support our minimally speaking and nonspeaking students in learning to communicate, we use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). AAC can be ipads with apps that talk, recordable buttons, or even laminated pieces of paper with pictures. For AAC Awareness Month the Assistive Technology Team and Autism Support Team are excited to present a competition to encourage staff to model AAC with students at Love Memorial Elementary, Norris Childers Elementary, Iron Station Elementary, Pumpkin Center Primary and Intermediate Schools.

And now the moment we’ve all been waiting for……Lincoln County School’s Final Top Modeler is Jessica Davis! Jessica is an EC Teacher from Norris Childers Elementary! Jessica has many students using both high and low tech AAC in her classroom and balancing all of those systems while counting times modeled is no easy feat! Congratulations Jessica and thank you for providing communication opportunities every day!

We have had many staff members jump on board this month and many more who did not send in their numbers, but were still modeling AAC with students! These incredible modelers include:
-Virginia Myers, Love Memorial Elementary
-Lisa Curtis, Pumpkin Center Primary
-Lea Nash, Pumpkin Center Primary
-Gena Wright, Pumpkin Center Primary
-Amanda Williams, Love Memorial Elementary
-Grace Goins, Love Memorial Elementary
-Kaitlyn Cloninger, Love Memorial Elementary
-Katelyn Klocke, Iron Station Elementary
-Carrie Oaks, Love Memorial Elementary
-Nicole Owensby, Love Memorial Elementary
-Kelly Michael, Iron Station Elementary
-Tabitha Willis, Love Memorial Elementary
-Melissa Wilfong, Love Memorial Elementary
-Shana Barkes, Norris Childers Elementary
-Maria Myers, Pumpkin Center
-Kaylon Hovis, Pumpkin Center
-Kaiti Royster, Pumpkin Center
-Julie Tompkins, Iron Station Elementary
-Alesha Lineberger, Iron Station Elementary
-Ashley Spargo, Love Memorial Elementary
-Angela Ingle, Love Memorial Elementary

A HUGE thank you to the businesses who donated to this years’ competition:
-7th Moon Boutique & Gifts
-All You Knead Massage and Bodywork
-Benny’s Boutique
-Breakout & Smash
-Court Street Grille
-Cowboy Killer Company
-Good Wood Pizzeria
-Henkle Tire, LLC
-Indigo Roots Massage
-Jennifer Wall
-Palm Berries
-Scoops by the Square
-Scooters Coffee (Cherryville)
-Steer South Trading Post
-Sugar Mama Cookies
-TAS Drug
-Treasures on Main (Booth #2 Max’s Treasure Hunt & Booth #415 Backyard Betty’s)
-Two Roots Yoga

We have had a lot of incredible modeling happening across the participating schools this month! Together we modeled AAC more than 5,962 times! Thank you to all of our modeling superstars for supporting your students’ human right to communicate! October may be over, but we will continue modeling and providing our students with the opportunity to learn that their AAC is their voice and the way they can form friendships and advocate for themselves.

💼 November is Career Development Month!

This month, we’re celebrating the many opportunities Lincoln County Schools provides to help students explore their interests, build skills, and prepare for life after graduation — whether that path leads to college, career, or the military. 💙

From classroom lessons and CTE programs to internships and job-shadowing experiences, we’re helping students connect what they learn today to the possibilities of tomorrow. 🌟

💬 Comment below and share your favorite career memory or the job you dreamed of when you were in school!

#CareerDevelopmentMonth #WeAreLINCOLN #CollegeCareerCommunity

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RECOGNIZES NINE LINCOLN COUNTY SCHOOLS AMONG THE STATE’S 2026 BEST

U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026 Best School Rankings, recognizing nine Lincoln County Schools among the top-performing institutions across North Carolina. The honors include five elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools, placing Lincoln County among districts with consistent excellence across all grade levels.

Among the recognized schools, Rock Springs Elementary, Catawba Springs Elementary, St. James Elementary, Union Elementary, and G.E. Massey Elementary each ranked within the top 40% of North Carolina public elementary schools. North Lincoln Middle and East Lincoln Middle achieved the same distinction among middle schools, while North Lincoln High and East Lincoln High earned recognition among the top 40% of high schools statewide.

The rankings are based on state assessments of student proficiency in mathematics and reading/language arts, adjusted for student background and overall academic performance. The methodology also considers how effectively schools serve all students and uses student-teacher ratios to help differentiate tied scores. Data is drawn from the U.S. Department of Education and state education agencies.

“Recognition like this reflects the hard work and commitment of our teachers, staff, and students across the district,” said Dr. Aaron Allen, Superintendent of Lincoln County Schools. “When our schools are recognized among the best, it’s a testament to the collaboration, care, and consistency that drive learning every day in our classrooms. We’re proud of this achievement and the positive impact our educators make on the lives of students and families throughout our community.”

According to LaMont Jones, Ed.D., Managing Editor for Education at U.S. News, “Recognizing schools that consistently deliver high-quality education, U.S. News’ 2026 Best Elementary and Middle Schools rankings showcase institutions that empower students from a variety of backgrounds. This data-rich resource helps parents choose schools that are truly making a difference in children's academic journeys.”

To view the full rankings and learn more about how schools were evaluated, visit www.USNews.com.

✨📸 #FlashbackFriday ✨

This week we’re featuring Mrs. Brittany Dellinger Link – a proud LCS alum who has come full circle to inspire the next generation! 🍎

Brittany attended Love Memorial, West Lincoln Middle, and West Lincoln High. She loved school so much that she couldn’t choose just one favorite teacher, but she’s especially grateful to Tammy Cloninger, Joy Ioan, Lee Ann Arrowood, and Eric Beam for their encouragement and dedication to students.

Today, Mrs. Link teaches 1st grade at Catawba Springs Elementary. Teaching was always her dream, and after graduating from East Carolina University, she knew she wanted to return home to Lincoln County Schools to begin her career. 💼

She credits the late Kristi Smith for believing in her and giving her the opportunity to begin her teaching journey. When asked what she loves most about her role, she shared:

“I love working with students and building meaningful relationships with them, as well as making a positive impact on their growth and learning.” 🌟

Thank you, Mrs. Link, for continuing the legacy of excellence in LCS and for pouring into the lives of our students! 💙

#WeAreLINCOLN #LCSProud #FlashbackFriday

HOLLY DRAKE JOINS NORTH LINCOLN HIGH AS NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Lincoln County Schools proudly announces the appointment of Holly E. (Holleran) Drake as the new Assistant Principal at North Lincoln High School. Drake brings nearly two decades of educational experience, with a proven record of improving student achievement and supporting teacher development. Most recently serving as Assistant Principal at Bunker Hill High School in Catawba County, she helped increase WorkKeys scores by 20%, implemented ACT preparation initiatives, and led data-driven instructional planning through Professional Learning Communities.

Before moving to North Carolina, Drake served in multiple leadership roles within the Houston Independent School District, including Dean of Instruction at Sharpstown High School and Assistant Principal at The Rusk School. She was instrumental in expanding dual enrollment opportunities, improving attendance and discipline rates, and developing literacy and intervention programs that strengthened academic outcomes across grade levels. Drake earned her Master of Business Education Administration from the University of St. Thomas in Houston and a Bachelor of Arts from Siena College in New York, also completing international studies at the Universidad de Granada in Spain.

“I’m truly honored to join the community at North Lincoln,” Drake said. “I look forward to building strong relationships with our students, staff, and families as we work together to create an environment where every student can thrive academically and personally.” Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband, James, and their two children. Together, they love hiking, traveling, and relaxing at the beach.

Drake begins on November 4th and succeeds Ms. Lee Rice.

🎉 National Principals Month Spotlight: Mrs. Hoffman at Love Memorial Elementary! ❤️🖤

Last (but DEFINITELY not least), we’re celebrating Mrs. Hoffman, who reminds us all to choose joy every day! 🌟

💫 Fun facts about Mrs. Hoffman:
• She attended UNC-Charlotte!
• When she was younger, she thought she’d be an accountant or lawyer.
• She’s never seen a Star Wars movie (we can’t believe it either!).
• She once met Ric Flair on a flight to Vegas and got him to autograph a barf bag for her dad’s birthday!
• If she could star in any movie remake, she’d pick Toy Story.

When she retires, you’ll find her “sitting on the dock of the bay” — soaking in the joy she’s always shared with her students and staff.

Thank you, Mrs. Hoffman, for leading with heart, humor, and happiness! 💙
#WeAreLINCOLN #NationalPrincipalsMonth #ChooseJoy #LoveMemorialElementary

🔥 Firefighter Technology Students in Action!
Students in the Firefighter Technology program recently participated in a controlled live burn demonstration led by instructor Mr. Field. This hands-on experience allowed students to observe fire behavior, smoke movement, and heat transfer inside a simulated residential structure.

By adjusting doors and windows, students saw how ventilation impacts oxygen flow, pressure, and flame intensity—bringing classroom theory to life! These real-world lessons prepare our future firefighters for safe and effective firefighting operations. 🚒🔥

#WeAreLINCOLN #LCST #FirefighterTechnology #CareerAndTechnicalEducation #HandsOnLearning

🎲 Number Talk in Action!

Miss Bollinger’s class at St. James has been busy comparing numbers! Students worked with partners, rolled dice, and discussed which number was greater, which was less, or if the two were equal — and most importantly, how they knew.
We love seeing our Knights talk through their thinking and learn from one another! ✨

#WeAreLINCOLN #LovetoLearn

🎉 National Principals Month Spotlight: Mrs. Ballard, Lincolnton High School! 🎉

Mrs. Ballard’s leadership inspires both students and staff every day! A proud UNC-Chapel Hill alum, she lives by the advice, “Do not grow weary of doing good — in proper time, you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.”

Fun facts about Mrs. Ballard:
🌍 She’s traveled to more than 15 countries outside the U.S.
🚲 She’s never learned to ride a bike!
🎬 If she could star in a movie remake, she’d choose The Goonies!
☀️ In retirement, she’d love to spend her days at the beach or on a boat.

Thank you, Mrs. Ballard, for leading with heart, wisdom, and adventure — the Wolf Pack is lucky to have you! 💛🖤🐺

#WeAreLINCOLN #NationalPrincipalsMonth #LincolnEffect #RippleRecognition #LHSwolves

Leaders United for Lincoln County 💙🍎

Yesterday, the Lincoln County Board of Education and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners came together for a joint meeting focused on collaboration, progress, and the shared success of our community.

When leaders unite, great things happen. Together, we continue to celebrate the growth, partnerships, and achievements that make Lincoln County a wonderful place to live, learn, and lead.

#WeAreLINCOLN #CommunityStrong #LCS #PartnershipInProgress