ROBESON COUNTY — Six schools will welcome new principals in the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year.
The decision was made at the Tuesday, June 9, 2026 PSRC Board of Education meeting, as board members approved new principal assignments for the upcoming school year.
Fairmont Middle
Dr. Isabel McClain was named principal of Fairmont Middle School. She will take on the role left vacant by the retirement of Dr. Vivian Tyndall who served nearly 40 years in education.
Dr. McClain most recently served as principal of Southside-Ashpole Elementary School.
Dr. McClain has more than 27 years of service within PSRC. She has served in various roles including as a teacher at Fairmont High and Fairmont Middle schools, and as principal at St. Pauls Middle, Rosenwald Elementary and Southside-Ashpole Elementary.
“It’s a good feeling to come home. Fairmont is where I started my teaching career,” Dr. McClain said.
Her goals for the upcoming school year are to strengthen academic performance and focus on building relationships with students, staff and community members.
“I love the community. I always have and I feel like it’s always been home,” Dr. McClain said. “Our children are our future.”
Littlefield Middle
Talissa Fann will serve as principal of Littlefield Middle School. Fann will step into the role left vacant by the retirement of Kendall Hamilton, who served more than 26 years in education. She most recently served as an assistant principal at Lumberton High School.
Fann brings with her a 20-year educational career spanning various positions in the school district including as data manager at West Lumberton Elementary and Long Branch Elementary, bookkeeper at West Lumberton Elementary, and as an educator at Lumberton Junior High and PSRC Early College High School. She completed her student teaching tenure at Littlefield Middle and Principal Fellows Internship at Purnell Swett High School before serving as assistant principal for five years at Lumberton High School.
“My vision for the school will resemble a nurturing and supportive environment. Listening to students, parents, and staff will be a top priority,” Fann said.
“My motto in my school will be ‘Making mistakes is proof you are learning, and learning from your mistakes is proof you are growing.’ As an administrator, I will cultivate a garden of growth in my future school,” she added.
Southside-Ashpole Elementary
Tawanna Curry will serve as principal of Southside-Ashpole Elementary. She most recently served as principal at Townsend Elementary School.
Curry has a 28-year educational career within PSRC serving in various roles including as a classroom teacher at Deep Branch Elementary, R.B. Dean Elementary, and Tanglewood Elementary (as a lead teacher). She also has experience as principal at Peterson Elementary, Fairgrove Elementary, Townsend Elementary and as Community School Coordinator at PSRC Central Office.
“I am honored and excited to serve as the new principal of Southside-Ashpole Elementary School,” Curry said.
“I look forward to working together with our students, staff, families, and community to create a positive and successful school year filled with growth, learning, and excellence for all,” she said.
St. Pauls Middle
Lakeshia Revels was named principal of St. Pauls Middle School. She most recently served as an assistant principal at Pembroke Middle School.
She brings with her experience as assistant principal at W.H. Knuckles Elementary and 20 years of experience in education. Revels has served as a teacher assistant, a classroom educator and academic coach at Deep Branch Elementary School. She then served as an assistant principal at W.H. Knuckles Elementary before her assistant principal role at Pembroke Middle School.
"As principal of St. Pauls Middle School, my vision is to create a school where every student is challenged academically, supported emotionally, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. Through strong relationships, high expectations, and a commitment to excellence, we will work together as ‘One Team with One Goal’: ensuring that every student is prepared for success in high school, college, career, and life,” Revels said.
Townsend Elementary
Gwendolyn Rogers will serve as principal of Townsend Elementary School. She most recently served as an assistant principal at L. Gilbert Carroll Middle School.
Rogers brings with her a 22-year educational career within the school district. She has previously served as an assistant principal at Rowland-Norment Elementary School following her roles as a teacher assistant and teacher at the school.
“As the principal of Townsend Elementary School, my goal is to work alongside our staff, students, families, and community to create an environment where everyone feels empowered, supported, and valued. I look forward to building strong relationships and fostering a positive school culture focused on collaboration, growth, and success,” Rogers said.
“Together, we will celebrate achievements, overcome challenges, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. By working as One Team with One Goal, we will create a school community where excellence thrives and every student can succeed,” she added.
Union Chapel Elementary
Billy Haggans will serve as principal of Union Chapel Elementary School. He will serve in the role left vacant by the retirement of Antonio Wilkins after 28 years of service.
Haggans previously served as an assistant principal at Purnell Swett High School. He brings with him 25 years of experience in education, including his time as a classroom teacher of math and science and as an administrator at CIS Academy.
Haggans’ goals are to improve student achievement, promote a positive school culture, support teachers and staff and increase family and community engagement.
“I am excited about serving at Union Chapel Elementary, in the community I live in,” Haggans said.
“I look forward to continuing the work that is going on at Union Chapel. It’s all about the students’ academic growth and being able to work with the staff and the community to support the kids in any way we can. They are number one in our book and we need to make sure they are moving forward,” he added.