Nags Head Elementary School Assistant Principal Retires
On her last day as Assistant Principal at Nags Head Elementary School, Judy Hester is surrounded by three kindergarten students - Aubrey Holland, Genna Estes, and Jacob Newberry - for a group hug. Hester has invested 35 years in education, the past 24 here in Dare County.
Photo: Belinda Martin
After a full 35 years in education, 24 of which have been in Dare County, Nags Head Elementary School Assistant Principal Judy Hester has decided to retire.
Hester began her journey as an educator by attaining an undergraduate degree in Music Education from Longwood College. She then completed graduate studies earning a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Old Dominion University. Hester began her teaching career in Virginia. After 11 years there, she moved to the Outer Banks and took an eight-year sabbatical from teaching. She began her tenure in Dare County in 1986 at Kitty Hawk Elementary School where she alternately taught music and fourth and fifth grades. In 1997, Hester was named Kitty Hawk Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
Her first appointment as Assistant Principal was also at Kitty Hawk Elementary in 1997. From there her assignments have included First Flight Middle School (1998-2000), Kitty Hawk Elementary (2000-2002), First Flight Elementary School (2002-2003), a post as Educator on Loan with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (Division of School Improvement 2003-2004), First Flight Middle School in 2004, and her latest position as Assistant Principal at Nags Head Elementary (2005-2010). During these years she took on various roles, including Kitty Hawk Elementary School PTA President, County Music Coordinator, County Textbook Coordinator, and President of the Dare County Association of Educators.
Nags Head Elementary School Technology Coordinator Cathy Evanoff has known and worked with Hester since her days at Kitty Hawk Elementary. Evanoff says that Judy Hester is not only a mentor and friend, but “she has always given me the extra push when I needed it. I will miss her leadership, guidance, and her wonderful smile. I wish her health and happiness in her retirement years.”
For the past two years, Hester has worked with Principal Dr. Adrienne Palma. “Judy's retirement is bittersweet for us,” commented Palma. “We are very happy for her as she begins a new chapter in her life, but we are sad to see her leave Nags Head Elementary. Judy has been a pillar of leadership. She has been blessed with a ‘just right’ balance of nurturing students while maintaining high expectations. Judy has been an extraordinary colleague; she is a tireless worker, honest, caring, and willing to do whatever it takes for the good of the school. Judy assisted in opening this school in January, 2006, and will always be a treasured member of the Nags Head Elementary School family.”
Hester’s daughter, Trenor Bender of Kitty Hawk, is currently traveling cross-country. Hester says that having time to travel is something she is looking forward to. As far as immediate plans besides deciding destinations, Hester reflects that she wants to “get back to the gym and be healthy, learn about gardening, read, volunteer, play more bridge, and continue singing until my voice gives out!”
Hester’s last day at Nags Head was Thursday, January 21. Hester left a parting message to students on the school’s website, “Boys and girls, remember to take advantage of every day. Learn everything you can. Make as many friends as you can. Always be trustworthy, respectful, responsible, fair, and caring. Always be a good citizen. Remember that there are many people who love you and are proud of you.”
With that, she passes on a word to parents to cherish the time they have with their children, and closes with the “Irish Blessing” and her signature “Smile!”