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Darrick Pettiford Named Principal of Candor Elementary

Darrick Pettiford has been appointed principal of Candor Elementary School. He brings with him a strong commitment to equity, academic excellence, and student success.

Since 2017, Pettiford has served as assistant principal at Northeast Guilford High School, where he focused on expanding equitable access to advanced placement (AP) courses. Through his leadership, enrollment in AP courses increased by more than 12% across student groups. His efforts contributed to the school meeting and exceeding academic growth expectations. Pettiford was recognized as a finalist for the 2023 Assistant Principal of the Year, a testament to his dedication and impact in the field of education.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in English education from North Carolina A&T State University. He also earned a certificate in school administration and an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Pettiford is excited to join the Candor Elementary community and looks forward to partnering with staff, students, and families to support a thriving school environment.

I am thrilled to serve as the new Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at Montgomery County Schools! With 14 years of experience in education, I have had the privilege of working in a variety of roles that have shaped my dedication to ensuring every student receives the support they need to succeed.

I earned my Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University, following my Administration degree from the same institution, and my Master’s in Education from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY. Education is not just my profession—it is my passion. I am deeply committed to being a servant leader who fosters an environment where all students can thrive.

I spent the first seven years of my career as both a regular education teacher and a special education teacher. Most recently, I served as the Director of Exceptional Children, PreK, Student Services, and Federal Programs at Tyrrell County Schools, where I collaborated with educators and administrators to ensure every student received the support they deserved. Prior to that, I was a Special Education Coordinator at Guilford County Schools, where I gained valuable experience in district-wide educational strategies.

I have a deep love for sports and was fortunate to play NCAA basketball. Family is incredibly important to me. We have two adult children, a granddaughter, and a beloved senior dog. We've created many special family memories over the years, and we are all very excited to begin making new ones as part of the Montgomery County community.

As I take on this exciting new role at Montgomery County Schools, I am more energized than ever to work with our incredible staff and community. I am beyond excited to be part of Montgomery County Schools and look forward to making a lasting impact as we work toward continued success and growth for all of our students!

Dr. Jennifer Mason