My name is Jason Strickland. I am very excited about joining the staff of Wendell Magnet Elementary School (WMES). I was born and raised in Zebulon. I come from a large family of educators. 

My 23 years in education with the Wake County Public School System began after I earned my K-6 elementary education undergraduate degree from Barton College in Wilson, NC.  I served as a classroom teacher during my first 17 years of teaching in the Knightdale area. I was awarded the WCPSS First Year Teacher Award as a first-year teacher. During my years in the classroom, I was honored with the title of Teacher of the Year at one of my previous schools in 2005 and 2017. While a classroom teacher, I discovered my passion for teaching foundational reading skills. I earned my K-12 reading and K-12 English as a Second Language certificates to nurture this passion.  After receiving these certificates, I set a personal goal to become a K-5 reading interventionist. During the last five years, I served as a K-5 interventionist, literacy coach, and instructional facilitator at my previous school. 

These various roles helped me grow as an educator while sharpening my leadership skills, leading me to pursue my master's degree in educational leadership at Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC. I am looking forward to my principal internship beginning in January of 2024 at WMES. 

The WMES family and community welcomed me with open arms. The heart of Wendell already feels like home.