BY MILES LAYTON
EDENTON — Edenton-Chowan Schools is marking the close of an era as Dr. Jana Rawls, the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Auxiliary Services, formally retires after a dedicated tenure in educational leadership.
“While it’s hard to say goodbye to a colleague who has been a strong leader and caring member of our work family, I’m truly happy for Dr. Rawls as she begins this new chapter. Her presence will be deeply missed, both professionally and personally, but I’m excited to see her begin the retirement she so richly deserves,” Superintendent Tammi Ward said.
An educator and administrator for more than 30 years, Rawls began her journey in the Edenton-Chowan system teaching English Language Arts and Social Studies at Chowan Middle School. Over the decades, she rose through the ranks: mentoring teachers, leading schools, and supporting district operations that impacted thousands of students across northeastern North Carolina.
“Jana and I taught together at Chowan Middle School in the early 1990s,” said Sheila Evans, a longtime teacher, administrator, now retired, who is now serving as a member of the Edenton-Chowan Board of Education. “We were never on the same teaching team, but we saw each other daily. When she went to Tyrell County to teach and further her career, our paths crossed at conferences and meetings over the years.”
Rawls served previously in Tyrrell County Schools as Principal and later as Director of Human Resources, Accountability, and Transportation. She brought that wealth of experience back to Edenton-Chowan when she was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Auxiliary Services in 2020.
“Dr. Rawls has been instrumental in shaping the culture and capacity of our schools,” Ward said. “Her commitment to staff development, student support, and organizational excellence has left an enduring impact.”
Rawls’ faith in God is a testament to her character.
“Jana came back to us in Edenton-Chowan as ‘Dr. Rawls,’” Evans said with an admiring smile. “She had experience in buses and buildings, in attendance and academics, in human resources and hands-on learning. But most, importantly, what stands out to me is her faith in God. Jana is grounded in the Word and is a Prayer Warrior. If she tells you she will pray for you or a situation, you know she will do it!”
Evans continued, “My hope for her is that she will have many years of retirement ahead of her. As I tell any of my education buddies as they near the time of retirement – I highly recommend it!”
And I’ll say it too — Dr. Rawls was excellent. Always a smile. Knowledgeable. Respected.
A Career Defined by Elevation and Excellence
Dr. Rawls’ dedication to leadership extended beyond district administration. She is a former North Carolina Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow, and holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University. Beyond her doctorate, she authored and co-authored research on instructional leadership and teacher development published in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Throughout her career, Rawls has served on statewide selection committees and university advisory groups, including participating as a reviewer for East Carolina University’s doctoral admissions and program revisions. Her scholarship includes the 2013 Rural Educator Journal article “The Role of School Leaders in Teacher Leadership Development” and a later solo publication exploring the impact of MSA programs on leadership effectiveness .
Building People, Programs, and Pathways
As Assistant Superintendent, Rawls oversaw human resources, transportation, auxiliary services, and accountability systems. She guided hiring and retention strategies, staffing policies, and systemic initiatives such as trauma-responsive supports. During a 2024 budget work session meeting, Rawls spoke candidly about challenges facing the district: under-resourced classrooms, student trauma, and the need for expanded support services. She strongly advocated for programs like the HOPE Academy to assist students facing barriers such as homelessness, teen pregnancy, and disciplinary issues.
Her leadership approach, grounded in empathy and collaboration, was widely praised by board members, administrators, and teaching staff alike.
Retirement and Legacy
Dr. Rawls joins a number of long-serving district educators retiring in 2024–25. The district’s officials honored her alongside Kim Bembry, Lee Powell, Ginger Skinner, Gwen Brown, Shannon Byrum, Lisa Rankins, and Mindy Vickers—all recognized for their years of service to the community.
Under Rawls’ leadership, Edenton-Chowan strengthened human resources practices, navigated state accountability requirements, and increased supports for both staff and students—especially in crisis and trauma-informed care. Her archival footprint includes not only board meeting minutes and programmatic reports but also publications and presentations that contributed to rural school leadership discourse across North Carolina and beyond.
What’s Next
Though Dr. Rawls steps away from public school leadership, many anticipate she’ll continue contributing to education—whether via volunteering, mentorship, or writing. Her future plans have not been publicly disclosed, but colleagues expect she’ll remain engaged with education advocacy in some capacity.
Officials emphasized that a process is underway to appoint her successor, with interim responsibilities likely to be handled within the district’s leadership team while the board conducts a formal search.
