TARBORO —
William “Joe” Etheridge, Director of Middle Grades Curriculum and Student Support Services for Edgecombe County Public Schools (ECPS), will retire Nov. 30 after 34 years of service in the district.
Etheridge began his teaching career in 1978 at North Edgecombe High School following the completion of his Bachelor of Science degree in intermediate education at East Carolina University. He went on to earn his Master of Arts in education in 1986 and Master of School Administration in 2003, both from East Carolina.
After serving at North Edgecombe High School for two years, Etheridge transferred to Phillips Middle School, where he remained for 20 years, serving as a teacher, counselor and instruction support specialist before being named assistant principal in 2004 and principal in 2005.
Etheridge joined the staff at ECPS Central Services in the educational program services department in 2011, where he oversees the curriculum for middle grades and supervises the student support services department, including counselors, social workers and school nurses.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my career with ECPS, and I have never regretted my decision to be an educator. I have mixed feelings about my retirement, and I'm definitely not as excited to leave as much as I always thought I would be,” said Etheridge. “Although I'm looking forward to having more time to spend with my family, it saddens me to think about the many friends I will be leaving behind.”
”ECPS has been very good to me, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have had to work in this community,” he added.
Local News
William "Joe" Etheridge retirement
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