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Thomasville Times, Schools consider needs of autistic children

Jessica is married to Chris and has 7 children. She is the leader of the Davidson County chapter of the Autism Society of North Carolina. 

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Jessica is a national account specialist for National Geographic. 

My Fox 8, What should school look like in North Carolina? These Triad parents will help decide

Jessica is currently serving on the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt's Parent Advisory Commission. 

As of June 14, 2025, Jessica Hofstetter did not have a website or any information online.

School Facilities & Resources

Access to Education

Teachers

School Curriculum

Student Wellbeing

Jessica Hofstetter

As of August 2, 2024, Billie Porter did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

As of June 14, 2025, Billie Porter did not have a website or any information online.

Billie Porter

Christy is from Thomasville, North Carolina. She has a bachelors degree in elementary education from High Point University and a masters degree in special education and teaching from Grand Canyon University. She volunteers as a board member of God's Will and the president of Thomasville Tourism. 

Christy works as a registered lobbyist for New Frame, a learning facilitator for Fair Grove Resource Center, an operations manager for the North Carolina Head Start Association, and a freelance videographer. Previously, she worked as a teacher in Davidson County Schools. 

Davidson County Schools, Davidson County School District Board of Education

Ballotpedia, Christy Jones

Christy Moody Jones is currently serving as a Davidson County Board of Education member. She was elected in 2020 and is serving her first term. She ran for the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 80 in 2012, but did not win. 

As of June 14, 2025, Christy Moody Jones did not have a website or any information online.

Twitter

Christy Moody Jones

As of August 2, 2024, Claire Palermo did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

As of June 14, 2025, Claire Palermo did not have a website or any information online.

Claire Palermo

As of August 2, 2024, Heather Yates-Davis did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

As of June 14, 2025, Heather Yates-Davis did not have a website or any information online.

Heather Yates-Davis

As of August 2, 2024, James Griffin did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

James Griffin's campaign for member of the Davidson County Board of Education is his first fun for public office. 

As of June 14, 2025, James Griffin did not have a website or any information online.

James Griffin

Justin is from Lexington, North Carolina and graduated from Central Davidson High School. Justin is a single parent to his daughter. 

Justin is currently working as the deputy clerk for the Administrative Office of the Courts in North Carolina. He has previously worked in emergency medical service and law enforcement, resigning as a lieutenant. 

Justin Strange's campaign for Davidson County Board of Education member is his first entry into politics. 

As of June 14, 2025, Justin Strange did not have a website or any information online.

Justin Strange

Michelle lives in Lexington, North Carolina. She attended Pfeiffer University. 

Michelle Shores ran for Davidson County Board of Education Member in 2022, but did not win. 

As of June 14, 2025, Michelle Shores did not have a website or any information online.

Michelle Shores

Mur attended  T. Wingate Andrews High School in High Point, North Carolina and studied organizational leadership and healthcare administration at Colorado State University Global. He is married and has children. 

Mur is the founder and director of the Senior Compassion Foundation and works as the executive pastor at Heath Church. He was in the U.S. Army from 1986 - 2005, retiring as a Sergeant First Class. Previously, he has worked as an administrator at Curis at Thomasville Transitional Care and Rehab, an administrator at Autumn Care of Biscoe,  and a transportation coordinator at Piedmont Crossing. 

Mur DeJonge's campaign for Davidson County Board of Education Member is his first entry into politics. 

As of June 14, 2025, Mur DeJonge did not have a website or any information online.

Mur DeJonge

Sheila earned her bachelor's degree in international business management from Western International University and her master's degree in health administration from the University of Phoenix. She lives in Lexington, North Carolina.

Sheila worked as an associate professor at Guilford Technical Community College. 

Ballotpedia

Sheila Blower ran for the Davidson County Board of Dducation in Davidson County in 2022, but did not win.

As of June 14, 2025, Sheila Blower did not have a website or any information online.

Said, "As our world evolves from traditional careers, stationary to one location, so too should the delivery of education. Online learning is the future for many career paths, and doing online learning well, takes flexibility, attention to detail, and creativity."

- Said, "As our world evolves from traditional careers, stationary to one location, so too should the delivery of education. Online learning is the future for many career paths, and doing online learning well, takes flexibility, attention to detail, and creativity."

Said, "I believe that secondary education is critical in bridging the gap between high school and business. Aside from core curriculum concepts it is critical for students to achieve the soft skills and employability skills to make them desirable candidates for the business world."

- Said, "I believe that secondary education is critical in bridging the gap between high school and business. Aside from core curriculum concepts it is critical for students to achieve the soft skills and employability skills to make them desirable candidates for the business world."

Sheila Blower

Sherry graduated from Thomasville High School and is the mother of 4 adult children. She volunteers in the community with Meals on Wheels,.

Sherry is currently the owner and president of Carolina Pondscapes. She previously served in the U.S Army for 15 years. 

Sherry Koontz's campaign for the Davidson County Board of Education is her first entry into politics. 

As of June 14, 2025, Sherry Koontz did not have a website or any information online.

Plans to increase transparency between schools and parents.

- Plans to increase transparency between schools and parents.

Supports the removal of "porn" from school libraries.

Supports the removal of "explicit material" from school libraries.

- Supports the removal of "explicit material" from school libraries.

Sherry Koontz

DAVIDSON LOCAL, Sonja Parks receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Sonja holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and teaching, a master's degree in school administration from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from High Point University. She lives in Lexington. She is married to her husband, Lee, with whom she has one son. She received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award from the governor of North Carolina for her involvement in public education. 

Sonja currently works as an adjunct instructor at Appalachian State University and as the director of district support for North Carolina Peak Education. She previously worked as an assistant superintendent at Rockingham County Schools and as a director of elementary education at Davidson County Schools. 

Sonja Kinney Parks' campaign for member of the Davidson County Board of Education is her first run for public office. 

As of June 14, 2025, Sonja Kinney Parks did not have a website or any information online.

Sonja Kinney Parks

Terry attended Southern College of Optometry. He lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Terry is an optometrist and owner of Clear View Optometry. He has also been an active member of the U.S Army Reserve for the past 15 years. 

Davidson County, Board of Health

Terry W. Ellington is the chair of the Davidson County Board of Health.

As of June 14, 2025, Terry W. Ellington did not have a website or any information online.

Terry W. Ellington

Trisha is from the East Davidson area. She holds a master's degree in healthcare administration from Pfeiffer University. She currently lives in Denton with her husband and their son. She is a Christian. 

Trisha works as a clinical excellence manager and nurse manager at Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center. 

Trisha Garner's campaign for member of the Davidson County Board of Education is her first run for public office. 

As of June 14, 2025, Trisha Garner did not have a website or any information online.

Trisha Garner

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 