Last Updated on May 7, 2025 3:50 pm
May 6, 2025
Today, in a special called meeting, the Avery County Board of Education elected Dr. Beth Penley to serve the students of Avery County as the new Superintendent of Schools. She will begin June 1, 2025.
As a passionate advocate for public education in North Carolina for 23 years, Beth has served as a school counselor, behavior coach, assistant principal, alternative school principal, high school principal, director of alternative learning, and school counselor coordinator during her time in the Iredell-Statesville Schools, Lincoln County Schools, and Newton-Conover City Schools. Since 2021, Beth has served as the Assistant Superintendent for District Operations and then Associate Superintendent for Newton-Conover City Schools. The associate superintendent role is the second-in-command for a public school district.
“After an extensive search process, the Board is excited to welcome Dr. Beth Penley to the Avery County Schools family,” said Board Chair Pat Edwards. “Her energy, passion, and ability to relate to and empathize with others are evident in every interaction. The Board believes she has the necessary skills and experience to lead the Avery County Schools. In addition, she has a genuine commitment to ‘students first’ in everything she does.”
Beth completed her undergraduate degree at UNC Chapel Hill. Her Doctorate in Educational Leadership was awarded from Wingate University. Among her numerous recognitions, she was honored with the Whole Child Award from the North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development for her work with personalized learning approaches for students and she is the recipient of the 2024 Samuel Houston Leadership Award from the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association. Outside of her professional commitments, Beth is an avid runner whose many completed races include the Chicago, NYC, and Boston Marathons.
Beth is married to Chris Penley who is the Principal of Newton Conover High School. Dr. Penley will immediately begin looking for a permanent residence in Avery County and the Penleys look forward to making Avery County their home.
“I am honored and truly blessed to join Avery County Schools and deeply grateful to the Board of Education and the community for their trust and warm welcome. I believe in leading with the mindset of Asset-Based Community Development—recognizing and building on the strengths that already exist within our schools and neighborhoods. Every student, staff member, and community partner brings unique gifts to the table, and it is through these relationships that we will create meaningful and lasting progress. My commitment is to lead with transparency, authenticity, and heart, always keeping students at the center of every decision. Together, we will continue to elevate the incredible work already happening in Avery County and build a future that reflects the potential of every learner.”
The search process yielded 20 candidates and the Board conducted candidate interviews and exhaustive background searches that included applicant reference interviews and criminal, credit, newspaper, and social media checks. In addition, the Board Attorney’s office interviewed Dr. Penley’s direct supervisors and the Avery County Board of Education Chair and Vice Chair interviewed Dr. Penley’s current Board Chair and Vice Chair. Dr. Penley received outstanding references.
