Introducing Riverside’s new principal

Leslie Kinard will be Riverside’s next principal.

Kinard is currently the principal at Ferndale Middle School in High Point, NC.

“She will be coming to us in March from Guilford County Schools,” said Dan Davis, DPS assistant superintendent for secondary schools, in an email to Riverside’s staff on January 15. 

“She’s an experienced principal who rose through the ranks in Guilford—with a brief side trip to Thomasville City Schools—with a record of supporting students, fostering culturally sensitive pedagogy, listening, leading, and serving,” said Davis.

According to the Ferndale website, Kinard attended Winston Salem-State University and was a member of the school’s ROTC program. After college she began her career teaching as a English teacher. She later worked as a testing coordinator, assistant principal and principal in various middle and high schools. 

Davis said that feedback from Riverside faculty, staff, parents and students, as well as the school’s interview team, helped the district select Ms. Kinard.

“She is going to be a great fit for Riverside’s school community,” he said.