ECU Lab School Leader Named | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: This post was created by a contributor to ECU News Services.

    Tasha Rodriguez has been named principal of the East Carolina University Laboratory School, which will open this fall at South Greenville Elementary School.

    Rodriguez's appointment is effective May 8.She currently is an assistant principal at Grifton School.

    "I am thankful for the opportunity to have served Grifton School, the families and community for the last three years," Rodriguez said. "The major lesson I've learned from the Grifton community is the importance of having pride for the school. I will carry this with me as I step into my new role as the principal of ECU's Lab School in the fall."

    ECU is one of eight UNC system schools chosen by state officials to create and operate a laboratory school to help elementary students perform better. ECU will enroll the youngest Pirates ever in second through fourth grades at the lab school in August.

    "Ms. Rodriguez is a passionate leader with precisely the right balance of academic and leadership experience," said Dr. Grant Hayes, dean of the ECU College of Education. "We look forward to working with her as East Carolina University and Pitt County Schools continue to improve student performance and increase outcomes for students."

    Rodriguez said she feels "excited and blessed" to serve students and families of the South Greenville area and beyond with the mission to "educate the whole child through a web of support that thrives through our partnerships, beginning with Pitt County Schools, by providing an enhanced and innovative education program," she said. "My hopes are for ECU's Lab School to be a model not only for Pitt County, but for North Carolina as a whole, for the benefit of meeting the needs of our children."

    Rodriguez was born in Arizona but spent most of her childhood in Lenoir County. She is an alumna of ECU, where she earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's in school administration as part of the N.C. Principal Fellows program. She completed her assistant principal internship at Ayden-Grifton High School.

    She previously taught at Southeast Elementary School in Kinston and W.H. Robinson Elementary School in Winterville before being named a teacher leader for Pitt County Schools to increase teacher effectiveness and student achievement in low-performing schools identified throughout the district.

    "I believe that a successful learning environment can be achieved through high expectations, clear goals and collaboration with parents, educators and other key stakeholders," she said.

    Enrollment in the lab school is open to students who currently attend a low-performing school within Pitt County Schools with priority given to students who are considered Level I or II or below grade level in academic standing.

    In addition, the ECU Lab School is recruiting teachers. For more information, click here and select EHRA non-faculty positions.