Meet Mr. Graham:

Mr. Rodney Graham was born in Wilkes County and with the exception of the three years spent serving in the U.S. Army he has lived in Wilkes County all of his life.   He attended Lincoln Heights School and later finished his primary grades at Fairplains Elementary.  He is a 1976 graduate of Wilkes Central High School.   

Mr. Graham spent a great part of his life in the business sector working for Lowes, Northwestern Bank, First Union bank, and owning his own business franchise.  He began his educational career as a substitute teacher.  He later accepted a teaching assistant position and served in that position at North Wilkesboro Elementary School for thirteen years.  In 2014 Mr. Graham felt strongly that education was his calling in life and decided to pursue a teaching degree.  He obtained his associates degree from Wilkes Community College and went on to attend Lees-McRae College where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  Mr. Graham obtained both his master’s in elementary education and add on licensure for school administration from Gardner-Webb University.  Before his first administration assignment, Mr. Graham  taught fourth and fifth grade at North Wilkesboro Elementary.  He has served as assistant principal at Millers Creek Elementary, Wilkesboro Elementary, and West Wilkes High School.  Mr. Graham’s first principalship appointment was at Wilkesboro Elementary School where he served four years before being assigned to Central Wilkes Middle School.  He is currently in his fourth year of service in his present position.

Mr. Graham believes that his most important job as a building administrator is to advocate for and promote the growth and success of students and teachers.  He considers himself to be a servant leader, never asking someone to do something that is not willing to do.  He seeks to inspire and empower others to be great and to do great things.  Mr. Graham believes that great things are best achieved through strong relationships, partnerships and collaboration.

Mr. Graham has been married to his childhood sweetheart Cathy for over 42 years.  They have three children, two sons-in-laws, and four of the most beautiful, handsome, and adorning grandchildren ever.  His faith is of utmost importance to him and church is a big part of his life.  He plays piano and is blessed to have been able to provide worship music for multiple churches in Wilkes and surrounding counties.  He is currently serving as the minister of music for Grace Kingdom Life Ministries in North Wilkesboro.  Mr. Graham is a huge Duke Blue Devils fan.

Meet Ms. McCathern:

Greetings Falcon Family! I am so excited to be a part of the great tradition that my own children have been a part of here at Central Wilkes Middle School!

I am a Teaching Fellow graduate from Appalachian State University. I began my career in Hickory City Schools in 2002 as a self contained special education teacher in a middle school alternative program. After teaching and living in Hickory I moved back to Wilkes and was a resource and inclusion teacher at Wilkesboro Elementary. I became National Board Certified and then became a Principal Fellow and interned As an AP at North Wilkesboro Elementary. I then went back in the classroom for a short time before becoming an AP at Wilkesboro and Millers Creek. I have been there for 2 years and I’m entering my third year in this role.

I am a single mom with 3 beautiful children some of you have taught. Jaliyah is a senior at WECHS. TJ is a sophomore at WCHS. My baby girl Jayla will be a 7th grade student here. I love to travel and was in the process of going to each country represented in my DNA before COVID cut it short. I did start with a wonderful trip to Nigeria last summer. Next up is Senegal, then Germany, and the UK, and Taiwan.

I am a dedicated educator who believes everyone can learn. I am an advocate for the least of these and my experience and faith inform how I approach life, people, and all experiences. I am committed to growing and being better every single day. I am passionate about learning, faith, education, social justice, politics, reading, hip hop, and food. I look forward to meeting and learning from each and every one of you. I plan to push you to be the very best you can be for our students and I expect the same from you. Let's go forward together! 

Meet Ms. Floyd:

Greetings Falcon Family, 

I am thrilled to be able to serve our community in this new capacity. I am always available to serve our students and staff to the best of my ability.  I attended Wilkes Community College and then transferred to Appalachian State University. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Middle Grades Education.  I received my Master's Degree in Executive Leadership from Gardner Webb University. 

      I was blessed to teach with so many amazing educators at West Wilkes Middle School for almost 14 years. I briefly left Wilkes County Schools for an administrative position. When I returned this past school year, I became the Instructional Specialist at Central Wilkes Middle School.  

      As assistant principal, I am looking forward to working together with the incredible faculty and staff at Central Wilkes Middle School. Together, we serve our students, teachers, and families with integrity.  My door is always open. We are going to have an amazing year!