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River Bend Middle

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School Leadership

School Leadership

A Message from our Principal

A man with a goatee and short hair poses for a portrait.

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, nor a brave pirate.

Greetings!

I am James Byrd, principal of River Bend Middle School.  I am excited for the opportunity to serve in the Bunker Hill feeder district.  As principal of RBMS, my goal is to work with staff members, students, and the community at large to prepare our young Pirates for their futures.  They will some day be Bunker Hill Bears, and we want them to have the knowledge and skillsets to be ready for that journey and for their future academic endeavors and careers beyond high school.

Middle school is an extremely important time in the lives of young people.  What direction their lives may take can be affected by numerous factors, but what happens at school can have a major impact.  I want students to have a great middle school experience where in addition to gaining content knowledge and academic skills, students start thinking about what their adult lives will look like.  I want students to have the opportunity to learn about how their interests can lead them to lucrative careers in their futures and for them to begin to figure out what steps they will need to be on the right paths.

I look forward to building partnerships with students' families and the community to make sure we are best serving our students and guiding them in the right direction.

Thank you, and Go, Pirates!

James Byrd

Meet our Administrative Team

  • A man with a goatee and shaved head poses for a portrait.Meet James Byrd, Principal
    RBMS Principal

    Joined Team CCS - August 2010

    Experience 
    I started my career at my alma mater, North Wilkes High School, where in addition to teaching English, I sponsored the school Quiz Bowl team, was an assistant wrestling coach at North Wilkes Middle, and coached track at both NWHS and NWMS.   After nine years of teaching, life led me to Bunker Hill High School in 2010, where I also taught English and assisted with the track team.  During my time at BHHS, I also had the honor of coaching wrestling at River Bend Middle School.  I took my first job in administration in November of 2013 at North Wilkes Middle School where I served as assistant principal until 2017.   I came back to Bunker Hill that fall as assistant principal and stayed for the next six years, out of which I also held the role of athletic director.  In the 2023-2024 school year, I was the principal at Mill Creek Middle.
     

    Education
    BSEd, Western Carolina University.  MA English Education, Appalachian State.  Executive Leadership Studies licensure add-on, Gardner-Webb University.

    Why I Became an Educator
    I believe I was destined to become an educator.  After watching my parents teach Sunday school and bible school all throughout my childhood, I had an idea of what teaching would look like.  My mother worked as an assistant teacher in special education programs, and though she is retired, she continues to serve that community.  My father demonstrated to me at a young age the value of research.  If he did not know something, he modeled picking up a dictionary or encyclopedia and digging until he found answers.   The value of education that I learned from my parents is something I want to share with others so they may find opportunities in their lives.
     

    Favorite Place in Catawba County
    My favorite place in Catawba County is River Bend Middle School. This place feels like home!
     

    Favorite Activities
    I like reading, specifically graphic novels, science fiction, and fantasy.  I am also a bit of a newspaper junkie.  I love trivia and word games.  I also like hiking and fishing whenever I can get the chance.
     

    Something Unique About Me
    I've always had a thirst for knowledge that has never gone away.   I tend to get obsessed with a subject for a while, research it, study it, and then move onto the next thing.   I might circle back to it now and again, or I might forget about it totally, but that's not bad, because it will give me the chance to start learning about it again.
     

    I am grateful to be a part of Catawba County Schools.  This system is geared towards guiding young people to future successes, and I love being part of that.                                  

  • A woman with long brown hair smiles at the camera.Meet Candall Hilton, Assistant Principal
    River Bend Middle School

    Joined Team CCS - July 2022

    Experience - I am Candall Hilton, Assistant Principal at River Bend Middle School. I am very excited to begin my second year as assistant principal here at "The Bend". Prior to becoming an AP I taught physical education for 16 years at North Lincoln Middle School . My favorite thing about being a Pirate is the amazing community that makes up this area. The students, staff, and parents were so welcoming and kind as I navigated my first year at River Bend. I look forward to year two as a PIRATE!

    Education - I graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University with a Bachelors degree in physical education. I then pursued a masters degree in physical education from West Virginia University. Then completed my school administration degree from Gardner Webb University.

     Why I Became an Educator - The reason I became an educator is because I love school! I have loved school since the day I walked into Kindergarten, so much that I went years without missing a day of school. I have always enjoyed working with children and seeing children learn. I especially enjoy middle school aged children because of the potential for growth and change in the few short years they are with me. I look forward to serving this amazing community this year!

    Favorite Activities - In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My husband Matthew and I have 2 children, 2 dogs, and 1 cat. We enjoy camping, playing games, the beach and the mountains.

    Something Unique About Me - I grew up on a horse farm in Virginia and could ride a horse before I could ride a bike! 

     

    I especially enjoy middle school aged children because of the potential for growth and change in the few short years they are with me. 

Meet our Office Staff

  • A woman with glasses smiles while holding a fork with food.

    Meet Heidi Jones, Secretary
    River Bend Middle School
    Joined Team CCS - 2012                                                     

    Experience 

    I have been a parent, substitute teacher, substitute cafeteria worker, custodian, bus driver and data manager in Catawba County Schools before I became River Bend's secretary.

    Education 
    Central Piedmont Community College  &  Catawba Valley Community College

    Why I Became an Educator
    I want to help make the world a better place.

    Favorite Activities
    Spending time with my grandchildren, the beach, sewing and crafting.

    Something Unique About Me
    I got my 1st job at 14 years old.
     

    I want to help make the world a better place.

  • A woman with long, light brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera.

    Meet Karen Myatt, Data Manager
     River Bend Middle School
    Joined Team CCS  -   January, 2000                                      

    I was born in Catawba County and have lived here all my life. I attended Balls Creek Elem. Then
    graduated from Bandys High School in 1980. I have two sons, named Ryan and Zac. I also have
    a little rescue dog, named Peanut.

    In January 2000, I began working for Catawba County Schools as a Teacher Assistant at St. Stephens Elem. In July 2002, I moved to the position of data manager at St. Stephens Elementary then transferred
    to Mill Creek Middle School in July 2006. I decided to further my own education and went back
    to school part-time at Catawba Valley Community College in January 2010 while continuing to
    work full-time. I completed my studies in December 2015 and graduated in May 2016 with High
    Honors in Accounting, AAS and Business Administration, AAS. In July 2016, I began splitting my
    weeks between Catawba Elem and Mill Creek Middle Schools. And then in 2021 split between Mill Creek and River Bend Middle. 
     

    I love working at two Middle Schools.  It's confusing sometimes but never boring!                                                                                                                                                                                            

    I love working at two middle schools. It's never boring!

  • Meet Emily Phipps, School Nurse

    I have been a school nurse since 2020. Prior to becoming a school nurse, I worked in the Critical Care Unit. I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wingate University. I am also a Nationally Certified School Nurse. I grew up locally, in Caldwell County, and I love this area. In my time away from work, I love spending time with my husband and two girls. We enjoy spending time outdoors enjoying the lake, beach, or mountains. I love to travel to new places, learn about different cultures, read, and craft.  
     

    The health and well-being of our students is important to me. I am passionate about helping students with chronic health conditions learn to become independent in caring for their condition. I believe that helping students be informed of their own health needs fosters independence and responsibility that is necessary in high school and beyond. I have enjoyed my time as a school nurse working in Catawba County Schools, specifically in the Bunker Hill community. I look forward to working with the students, parents, and staff as we pursue health and wellness for our Pirate family. It is my goal to keep our children healthy, safe, in school, and ready to learn.  I would like to thank you all for allowing me to take care of your children. I am honored to be a part of an amazing community and school.
     

    Please feel free to contact me about any health concerns, illnesses, injuries, medical procedures your child may be facing. Together we can ensure the best care for your student while at school.

     

    emily_phipps@catawbaschools.net

    Work Cell: 828-639-2385
     

    I am very happy to be a part of the Pirate family and helping care for each and every student!

  • A smiling woman with braided hair poses for a portrait.

    Meet Angela Hood, Receptionist
    River Bend Middle School
    Joined Team CCS -  2020                                             

    Experience -  Worked for Rockingham County Youth Services for 2 years and then transitioned to the Rockingham County School System  and worked there for 4 and a half years before coming to Catawba County.                                     

    Education  -  BA in Religious Arts & Christian Counseling, MA Biblical Counseling, Doctorate in Divinity

    Why I Became an Educator:   I became an educator because I have a heart for youth, their education and their well being. I felt that I could be that listening ear for them and encourage them no matter what they are going through.  

    Favorite Activities:  Reading, traveling, motivational speaking, relaxing and spending time with family.

    Something Unique About Me:  I'm an aspiring candle maker

     

    I have a heart for youth, their education and their well being.