New PCS Leadership Team to Guide Schools into the Future

Pitt County Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve M. Lassiter Jr., introduced six new members of its school leadership and academic services team on Monday.

These appointments come as part of a district-wide restructuring effort to ensure every student receives a high-quality, standards-aligned education and that the district continue to innovate and enhance its commitment for improvement.

The following individuals have been named to pivotal roles:

•    Executive Director of Elementary Schools: Derek Burns (effective 07/17/25)
Mr. Burns has held principal roles at the elementary school level for 10 years, which includes an eight-year tenure in Wake County Public Schools at Douglas Creative Arts and Sciences Magnet Elementary. Under his guidance, Douglas was selected as the recipient of the 2016 Ronald P. Simpson Award as the top magnet school nationally and also was a two-time Magnet Schools of America Schools of Excellence choice (2015, 2016). Following his departure from Douglas, Burns served as a school leadership coach with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) beginning in 2021. From 2012 to 2014, he was principal at Crofton Meadows (Md.) Elementary School, where he led CMES to earn National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence status. Burns earned a bachelor’s degree from Coastal Carolina before receiving his master's from South Florida.

•    Executive Director of Middle Schools: Dr. Robert Batts (07/07/25)
Since 2016, Dr. Batts has provided leadership to Edgecombe County Schools as director of secondary education, career technical education (CTE) and alternative learning program. His appointment to a district-level position at ECS followed a four-year overall tenure as principal at North Edgecombe (2012-2014) and Tarboro High Schools (2014-2016). Batts began his career in 2004 as an educator as a teacher at Elm City Middle School in Wilson County before an assistant principal, and subsequent interim principal, assignment at Nash Central Middle School beginning in 2009. He is a two-time East Carolina graduate (bachelor's, master's degrees) before earning a doctorate of educational leadership from Gardner-Webb in 2020. Batts also completed the Institute of Educational Leadership's Education Policy Fellowship Program and was honored as a recipient of ECU's "40 Under 40" Leadership Award.

•    Executive Director of High Schools: Dr. Monica Jacobson (07/01/25)
Dr. Jacobson has served as PCS Director of Secondary Education since 2021, which followed principal positions at J.H. Rose High School (2013-21) and G.R. Whitfield School (2012-13). Overall, she owns 22 years as an educator (16 as an administrator), beginning her career in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools before moving to Pitt County in 2006 and accepting a social studies teaching position at JHR. Dr. Jacobson earned her bachelor's degree in sociology from UNC Charlotte, a master's in teaching from Winthrop and doctorate in educational leadership from East Carolina. She was honored as PCS Principal of the Year in 2016 during her tenure at JHR, where she was recognized for her visionary leadership and establishing a productive school culture.

•    Director of School Improvement: Dr. Seth Brown (07/01/25)
Dr. Brown, who currently is the director of educator support and leadership development in PCS' Department of Educator Effectiveness and Leadership (DEEL), has been a part of the district since 1997. After beginning his educational career as a teacher at C.M. Eppes Middle School and J.H. Rose High School, Brown transitioned into leadership roles as an assistant principal at Ayden-Grifton High School and as principal at Ayden Middle and Chicod. He received his bachelor's degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, a master's in school administration from ECU as an NC Principal Fellow before completing his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from NC State. Brown was a recipient of the NC Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (NCASCD) 2025 Distinguished Educator Award and holds certifications in a multitude of training and mentor disciplines.

•    Director of School Innovation & Transformation: Dr. Tom Feller (07/01/25)
While Dr. Feller's service to Pitt County Schools dates back to 2003, he has spent the last 14 years in professional learning and leadership development capacities. Since 2022, he has been the district's (DEEL) director of continuous improvement & professional learning, creating numerous programs to support the development and growth of leaders across PCS. Feller joined the system as a music teacher at C.M. Eppes Middle School before assistant principal appointments at Farmville and Wellcome Middle Schools, respectively. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Palm Beach Atlantic, a master’s degree from ECU and a doctoral degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. Additionally, Feller is certified as a coach and mentor trainer by multiple organizations and was a recipient of a UNC School of Education Alumni Achievement Award in 2023.

•    Director of Digital Media & Learning: Julie Simpson (07/07/25)
The appointment of Ms. Simpson to a position within PCS will conclude a seven years at Washington County Schools. Most recently, Simpson was WCS' Chief Academic Officer, had oversight of the district's federal programs and coordinated the N.C. Pre-K curriculum after serving as director of testing and accountability from 2018 to 2021. Beginning in 2015, she began work in Edgecombe County Public Schools as an instructional coach before being honored as the system's assistant principal of the year in 2018. Among many professional development engagements, Simpson participated in the NCSSA Aspiring Superintendent Program (Cohort IX) and has been a presenter at N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) and N.C. Technology in Education Society (NCTIES) conferences. She earned her bachelor's degree from California (Pa.) University and a master's from NC State.

“These appointments are a testament to our district’s dedication to fostering leadership that inspires growth and achievement,” Lassiter said. “Together, we will continue to raise the bar for educational excellence.”