Recently Clover Garden School was notified that Mrs. Vereyken was chosen as a finalist for the 2021 Charter One North Carolina Office of Charter Schools Charter Principal of the Year! She was one of only 10 North Carolina charter school principals that were recognized for their service and commitment to their school. Below is a list of the ten finalists considered for Charter School Principal of the Year.

Shannen Bretz - Union Academy Charter
Alex Quigley - Healthy Start Academy
Christy Spurrier - Matthews Charter
Thomas McKoy - Reaching All Minds Academy
Nealie Whitt III - Falls Lake Academy
Leslie Hall Paynter - Alamance Community School
Tiffany Flowers - KIPP Academy Charlotte
Heather R. Vereyken - Clover Garden School
Michelle Hollard - Lake Norman Charter
Steven D. Pond - Peak Charter Academy

On Tuesday, June 22nd, which marked the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Charter School Law, winners were announced. While Mrs. Vereyken was not the winner we are very proud of her commitment to Clover Garden and the leadership that she provides day-in and day-out. Please join us as we congratulate her on being named a finalist.

For being named a finalist Mrs. Vereyken received a $250 check and a beautiful plaque commemorating her achievement.

For consideration in the Charter School Principal of the Year competition school entrants had to submit several items. These included the principal’s resume, board of directors recommendation letter, staff recommendation letter, and of course a photo. Below are a few quotes taken from the nomination materials submitted for Mrs. Vereyken.

Heather (Mrs. Vereyken) has encouraged the staff with her collaborative style and creativity in working to create an uplifting work environment.  In a year where teachers were asked to go above and beyond the normal school day, she has inspired the teachers to be all in and to get the job done.

Ms. Cathy June, taken from Nomination letter

Our students love their principal, too, and it’s not only because she walks around the building handing out ice cream passes in recognition of excellent grades and good character (they don’t know she hands them out to the staff as well!) As one sixth grader said, “She’s a great principal because she is always so happy. I literally have never seen her frown.” And another: “Mrs. Vereyken is the best principal because she is always on top of everything that goes on. She’ll fix what needs to be fixed and stop what needs to be stopped. She keeps a hand on the whole school which I know isn’t easy because we are a giant handful!”

Mrs. Cindy Rigsbee, TAKEN FROM Nomination EssaY

This week when you see Mrs. Vereyken in the hall make sure to congratulate her on representing our school so well and for all that she does to make Clover Garden the awesome place that it is!

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