Christian Hairston-Randleman named Preschool director C
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D U R H A M A C A D EMY
Kathy McPherson
hristian alive at every division, Hairston-Randleman the Preschool epitobegan her tenure as mizes this connection. Durham Academy’s Here, children are Preschool director on gently pulled into the July 1. The appointment DA fold and nurtured of Hairston-Randleman, into moral, happy, who will also serve as productive individuals. a kindergarten teacher, As the new Preschool comes after a 15-month director, I am commitinternational search ted to the rich tradition precipitated by the 2014 of community and look retirement of Sheppy forward to building Vann, who served as relationships with all Preschool director for 24 of our families!” years and a kindergarten HairstonChristian Hairston-Randleman teacher for three decades. Randleman has Pre-k teacher Sheri-lyn Carrow served as distinguished herself as an extraordinary interim Preschool director for the 2014teacher at the kindergarten level and 2015 school year. a rising star as principal of Durham’s “I am honored to have been selected Club Boulevard Humanities Elementary as the next Preschool director and feel Magnet School, Andrews Elementary privileged to be in a position to work School in Burlington and Central with such a talented group of educators,” Elementary School in Hillsborough. Hairston-Randleman said. “This position She earned a B.A. in Child Development provides a brilliant balance of teaching and Family Studies, an M.Ed. in Early and leadership responsibility that promotes Childhood Intervention and Family deep relationships with students, families Support and an M.S.A. as a North and staff.” Carolina Principal Fellow — all from Hairston-Randleman already has a UNC-Chapel Hill. She also earned an connection to DA Preschool: her son, Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction Brett Randleman, attended kindergarten from Liberty University. at DA this past school year. “Christian emerged as the clear “As I reflect on this year, as a choice of the Preschool faculty, the Preschool parent, and look forward to my administrative team and the search tenure as the Preschool director, a few committee,” said Head of School words resonate with me — DA Family,” Michael Ulku-Steiner. “Her deep said Hairston-Randleman. “Our family has expertise, poised professionalism, been privileged to experience the genuine warm personality and abundant care care and support of DA. We have been for children were as impressive to us afforded countless opportunities to engage as they have been to her colleagues in in Brett’s earliest educational experiences Burlington, Hillsborough and Durham.” and to share in the magic of the Preschool. Hairston-Randleman’s insider As equally important as the rigorous perspective on DA spans three school academic foundation provided in the divisions — her older sons, Bryant and Preschool are the nurturing relationships Brent Randleman, were students this forged between the staff and families. past year, respectively, in the Upper “While the notion of DA Family is School and Middle School. |
SUMME R 2 0 1 5
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WWW.D A.ORG
CHRISTIAN HAIRSTONRANDLEMAN — 15 THINGS ABOUT ME • 1. I am a die-hard Tar Heel living in a house full of Dookies! We are truly a house divided! • 2. I am a North Carolina native and grew up in Lexington. I’ve had barbecue from all over the East Coast, and I don’t think anything compares to barbecue from Lexington. • 3. I spend countless hours in gyms watching a sport that I love but never played (basketball)! I ran track and cheered but couldn’t make a free throw if you paid me. • 4. The first class of kindergartners that I taught will graduate next year! • 5. My husband and I are high school swvethearts! We met during our junior year. • 6. What I’m reading: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb and How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character by Paul Tough. • 7. I love to bake. • 8. Last summer, I enjoyed an amazing girls trip to Jamaica with one of my best friends, my mother! • 9. Brett, our youngest, is the only son who did not have to deal with me as his elementary school principal. • 10. One of my favorite quotes pertaining to children: “Every child is gifted — they just unwrap their packages at different times!” • 11. I have four degrees in education, and nothing prepared me for my career more than my first day as a kindergarten teacher. • 12. I am an only child. • 13. I love to sing but only in the presence of 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds. • 14. My sons are three of my favorite people in the world! • 15. I am honored to be in a position to work with such an amazing community of educators! As a parent, I have enjoyed the “magic” of the Preschool and I am beyond excited to transition into a role where I can provide other families with the same experience.