Meet Chad Maynor, Ed.D., Principal

Joined Team CCS - July 2019

Experience 
Prior to beginning my career in education, I served as a Juvenile Court Counselor/Training School Specialist in Catawba, Caldwell, and Burke Counties for eight years. I began my career in education as an elementary School Counselor and classroom guidance teacher for three years in Alexander County at both Bethlehem Elementary School and Hiddenite Elementary School before moving into school administration. 

I began my administrative career as an elementary school assistant principal. I served in this capacity for three years, before moving into the role of Principal of Bethlehem Elementary. During my three years as the principal, the school was recognized as an Honor School of Excellence - the highest status awarded North Carolina elementary schools at that time - for two years, and as a School of Distinction for one year. 

Before moving to Bandys High School, I served as the Principal of West Alexander Middle School. During that time, West Alexander Middle School was recognized for Exceeding Expected Growth for five of the seven years I served as the school's principal. The school also was recognized as a National School to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. This recognition has been granted to less than 50 North Carolina Middle Schools in the last fifteen years. West Alexander Middle School also was recognized for the last three years of my tenure there as a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Exemplar School, the highest level recognized by the NCDPI in the state.

During my administrative career in Alexander County, I was recognized as ACS Principal of the Year on three separate occasions. I was also recognized at the ACS Educational Office Professionals Administrator of the Year and the NC Educational Office Professionals Regional Administrator of the Year. Since moving to Catawba County, I received the Administrator of the Month for the CCS, after only four months in my current role as Bandys High School.

Education 
B.S. in Criminal Justice, Appalachian State University
M.A. in School Counseling, Lenior-Rhyne University
Ed. S. in Educational Leadership, Western Carolina University; Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Western Carolina University

Why I Became an Educator 
During my eight years as a Training School Specialist/Juvenile Court Counselor, I realized quickly the value of a positive support system on the lives of today's youth. Often times, I found myself thinking what if I could have intervened when they were younger? Perhaps I could have made a difference and ensured this young man/woman had taken a different path. In order to have the opportunity to do so, I quickly realized I needed to seek a career in elementary education. Consequently, I pursued my M.A. in School Counseling to afford me this opportunity. After spending the first nine years of my career in elementary education in several roles, including administration and school counseling, I made the move to middle school, where I spent seven years. Currently, I am excited by the opportunity to be able to help students at the high school level at Bandys High School. I can now see the full K-12 progression take shape. I have devoted the last 25 years of my life to helping children, adolescents, and young adults, and I hope to have the chance to continue my journey for many, many more years as the Principal of Bandys High School. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity, as well as for the journey and the path that led me here.

Favorite Place in Catawba County
Being an outdoorsman, I enjoy the Jacob's Fork River, Catawba River, and Lake Norman. 

Favorite Activities
I enjoy fishing, hunting, attending sporting events, competing in rodeo competitions, riding ATVs, and spending time with my family and friends.

Something Unique About Me
My paternal ancestors were Cherokee Indians. I have qualified and competed in the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) World Championship Show on three separate occasions. 

As an educator and graduate of the Catawba County Schools, I was well aware of the caliber of education afforded students in Catawba County. As a result, it was natural for me to want to return home to be part of this special place known as the Catawba County Schools, as well as to begin making a difference in the future of Catawba County as a member of this great team.

Meet Leslie McIntosh, Assistant Principal

Joined Team CCS - August 1998

Experience:
I began my career at Bandys High School as an English teacher in 1998 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I obtained my National Boards in 2002 and renewed in 2012.  In my 22 year tenure as a teacher at Bandys, I have worn many hats. I served as department chair of English for 12 years, coached girl’s basketball and softball, served as the graduation coordinator for the last 15 years, and have been a  full-time and substitute bus driver.  I was the yearbook adviser for the last 11 years. I was selected as the Bandys High School Teacher of Year in 2001 and again in 2019. In addition, I was nominated by the school administration as the National Life Group Life Changer of the Year in 2019-2020. 

Education:
BA English, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
M.Ed. Curriculum and Supervision, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

 

Why I Became an Educator:
I knew in 2nd grade at Sherrills Ford Elementary School that I wanted to be a teacher.  Lynne Nelson, my teacher, was one of the kindest people I ever met. Even at that young age, I knew she was unique in the way she treated all her students with respect and kindness. She made every student in her class feel like the only student in her class. Throughout my career, I was blessed with many wonderful teachers who made a lasting impact in my life: Emile Blake, Jerome Morris, the late Beth Isenhour, Sherry Drum, Beth Queen, and Erly Garner to name a few.  My goal was to give students the same opportunity to love learning that these individuals gave me. I didn’t know what subject I wanted to teach until much later, but I always knew where I wanted to teach. 

 

Favorite Place in Catawba County:
As cliche as it sounds, Bandys truly is my happy place.  It has been the place of my life’s work and some of my greatest memories both as a student, a teacher, and now as a parent. I love the people I work with each day, and I get to spend time with some of the coolest teenagers around.  Not surprisingly, I am excited to make new memories as an administrator now.  Next to Bandys, give this Southern girl a porch swing with a view and my heart is happy.

 

Favorite Activities
I enjoy fitness and exercise, concerts and live music--especially Darius Rucker, a good book, traveling,  and spending time with my friends and family. I enjoy watching my kids do what they love--basketball and softball for my daughter and soccer and archery for my son. I can quote every episode of FRIENDS, love baseball (Go Yankees!), and I am an avid University of Virginia fan (Go Hoos!).  In addition, I also volunteer  with the Hearts and Hope Foundation.

 

Something Unique About Me
I was the first student in Catawba County to do a teaching internship in a middle school. I have never seen The Wizard of Oz, was a member of the 1994 Bandys Women’s Basketball State Championship Team, and my favorite coffee is Peanut Butter Coffee. 

 

CCS Statement:
“This is home. As a product of CCS, I never considered a career anywhere else because I know how special it truly is. Catawba County Schools is an example of what’s right with public education, and I’m thankful to have spent over 27 years of my life within the walls of Bandys High School. What a blessing it is to call this place home.” 

I joined Catawba County Schools because it was coming home. I am a product of Catawba County Schools. I am very proud of CCS and the quality of education we are providing our students.
 

Meet Brandon Harbinson, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director

Joined Team CCS - July 2008

Experience 
I began my career in public education in 2008 with Catawba County Schools. After Graduating from Appalachian State University, I was a Teacher's Assistant at St. Stephens Elementary for 1 year and a Teacher's Assistant at Banoak Elementary for 1 year. For the next 4 years, I was a PE Teacher/Athletic Director and coached Baseball at Arndt Middle School. Currently, I am starting my 10th year as an Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Bandys High School. My background is primarily Athletics, as I have coached baseball at Maiden HS, Avery County HS, American Legion Post 48, and Arndt Middle School. I love athletics and fitness. It is truly my passion and my purpose! 

Education 
Health/Physical Education, Appalachian State University
MA in Executive Leadership Studies, Gardner Webb University

Why I Became an Educator 
I played for many coaches that I looked up to in my career as an athlete. The coaches that I respect the most to this day are the ones who were tough on me, demanded more of me, and held me accountable for my actions. This is what drives me and what I want to pass along to other student-athletes that I cross paths with.  

Favorite Place in Catawba County
My favorite place in Catawba County is at Glen Oaks Golf Club in Maiden, NC. I love golf, even though I don't get to play nearly as much as I would like. This is where I have so many memories of my dad and me, and I hope to create more memories with my two sons one day.  

Favorite Activities
My favorite activities are spending time with my wife and my two boys, grilling and smoking different meats, working out, playing golf, fishing, and spending time with our friends.

Something Unique About Me
Growing up a Maiden Blue Devil, there was nothing worse than pulling for Bandys. I always told my friends and family, "I would never, ever work at Bandys no matter how much they paid me." Well here I am, married to a Bandys girl, built a house a few minutes from the school, and have two boys who will go through the Bandys Feeder. I couldn't be more proud to be a Trojan, and it's where I hope to be until the day I retire!
 

I joined team CCS because I am a product of Catawba County Schools and am very proud of that! We are a district that takes pride in all that we do!