May 28, 2026
š¢ Washington County Public Schools is pleased to announce administrative appointments for the 2026ā2027 school year.
Ms. Stephanie Odum has been named principal of Wallace Middle School. Ms. Odum brings more than 17 years of educational experience to the role, including service as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and instructional leader. Most recently, she has served as assistant principal at Wallace Middle School for the past two years, where she has worked closely with students, staff, and families to support academic achievement, positive school culture, and student success.
Throughout her career, Ms. Odum has demonstrated a strong commitment to data-driven school improvement, collaborative leadership, and building meaningful relationships within school communities. Her previous leadership experience includes serving in elementary principal and middle school assistant principal roles in North Carolina.
A graduate of East Tennessee State University, Ms. Odum also holds advanced degrees from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is recognized as a North Carolina Principal Fellow and Distinguished Leadership in Practice recipient.
āI am honored to continue serving the Wallace community in this new role,ā said Odum. āWallace Middle School is a special place with incredible students, dedicated staff, and supportive families. I look forward to continuing our work together to create an engaging environment where every student can thrive.ā
Ms. Denise Gobble, who currently serves as assistant principal at Rhea Valley Elementary School, has been named principal of the school.
Ms. Gobble recently completed her 11th year in education. She holds a bachelorās degree from Emory & Henry University and a masterās degree in literacy education from Radford University. Prior to serving as assistant principal during the 2025-2026 school year, she taught first and second grade for eight years before serving as a reading specialist in Washington County Public Schools for two years.
āI am excited and honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, staff, and school community of Rhea Valley Elementary as the new principal,ā said Gobble. āI believe in teamwork, open communication, and fostering a positive environment where students, staff, and families feel valued, supported, and successful. I look forward to continuing to work with everyone as we accomplish amazing things together at RVES.ā
In addition, Mr. Andrew Francisco, currently assistant principal at Abingdon Elementary School, has been named assistant principal at E.B. Stanley Middle School.
Mr. Francisco holds a Bachelor of Science in Education in Social Science Education from Emory & Henry University and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Radford University. He previously served as a Civics teacher at E.B. Stanley Middle School from 2019 to 2022 before teaching AP U.S. History at Abingdon High School prior to moving into school administration at Abingdon Elementary School.
He brings valuable experience in instructional leadership and student support, and his commitment to building positive relationships will make him a tremendous asset to the E.B. Stanley school community. Mr. Francisco is also a former student of E.B. Stanley Middle School, making this transition especially meaningful.
Ms. Stephanie Odum has been named principal of Wallace Middle School. Ms. Odum brings more than 17 years of educational experience to the role, including service as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and instructional leader. Most recently, she has served as assistant principal at Wallace Middle School for the past two years, where she has worked closely with students, staff, and families to support academic achievement, positive school culture, and student success.
Throughout her career, Ms. Odum has demonstrated a strong commitment to data-driven school improvement, collaborative leadership, and building meaningful relationships within school communities. Her previous leadership experience includes serving in elementary principal and middle school assistant principal roles in North Carolina.
A graduate of East Tennessee State University, Ms. Odum also holds advanced degrees from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is recognized as a North Carolina Principal Fellow and Distinguished Leadership in Practice recipient.
āI am honored to continue serving the Wallace community in this new role,ā said Odum. āWallace Middle School is a special place with incredible students, dedicated staff, and supportive families. I look forward to continuing our work together to create an engaging environment where every student can thrive.ā
Ms. Denise Gobble, who currently serves as assistant principal at Rhea Valley Elementary School, has been named principal of the school.
Ms. Gobble recently completed her 11th year in education. She holds a bachelorās degree from Emory & Henry University and a masterās degree in literacy education from Radford University. Prior to serving as assistant principal during the 2025-2026 school year, she taught first and second grade for eight years before serving as a reading specialist in Washington County Public Schools for two years.
āI am excited and honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, staff, and school community of Rhea Valley Elementary as the new principal,ā said Gobble. āI believe in teamwork, open communication, and fostering a positive environment where students, staff, and families feel valued, supported, and successful. I look forward to continuing to work with everyone as we accomplish amazing things together at RVES.ā
In addition, Mr. Andrew Francisco, currently assistant principal at Abingdon Elementary School, has been named assistant principal at E.B. Stanley Middle School.
Mr. Francisco holds a Bachelor of Science in Education in Social Science Education from Emory & Henry University and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Radford University. He previously served as a Civics teacher at E.B. Stanley Middle School from 2019 to 2022 before teaching AP U.S. History at Abingdon High School prior to moving into school administration at Abingdon Elementary School.
He brings valuable experience in instructional leadership and student support, and his commitment to building positive relationships will make him a tremendous asset to the E.B. Stanley school community. Mr. Francisco is also a former student of E.B. Stanley Middle School, making this transition especially meaningful.