Press release from Asheville City Schools:
Asheville City Schools is pleased to announce that our Director of Induction and Recruitment, Dr. Kimberly Dechant, was recently selected as a recipient of the Dr. Samuel Houston Leadership Award. This annual award is presented to a graduate of the Aspiring Superintendent Program by the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA) and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD).
“I was honored to have been selected to participate in Cohort VI of the Aspiring Superintendent Program,” said Dr. Dechant. “The program provided me with an opportunity to work collaboratively with outstanding superintendents from across the state while developing my leadership skills.”
The award is named in honor of Dr. Samuel Houston who is President and Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center. Dr. Houston served as superintendent of the Mooresville Graded School District for ten years where he opened the first year round school in North Carolina.
On receiving the award, Dechant added, “I am humbled, and I will strive to mirror Dr. Houston’s outstanding leadership characteristics.”
Jack Hoke, Executive Director of the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association, said that Dr. Dechant does just that.
“She has a commitment to continuous improvement, high standards of ethical conduct, strategic planning, improving student performance and meeting the needs of the 21st century workforce.”
With over 24 years of experience, Dr. Dechant has been a high school English teacher, assistant principal, principal, director and mentor in Asheville City Schools. A compassionate and student-focused educator, she was named as Asheville City Schools’ Principal of the Year in 2014.
Dr. Dechant moved into the Director of Recruitment and Induction position in 2020.
In addition to her dedication to Asheville City Schools, she also serves on the Buncombe County Land Conservation Advisory Board and the Children’s Welfare League Board. She enjoys backpack camping, gardening and traveling abroad. Dr. Dechant values her family, friendships and faith.
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