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Mr. Billy Shipp, Principal

Welcome to the 23-24 School Year!

What an honor it is to be the principal at West Lake Middle School.  This year will be my 24th year in education and my third full year as principal at West Lake.  I was born in Durham, NC and grew up in Fayetteville, NC.  I have lived my entire life in the great state of North Carolina.  I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A in History.  I received my Master's in School Administration from East Carolina University.  Go Tarheels and Go Pirates!  

Prior to coming to West Lake, I spent 17 years at Middle Creek High School as a teacher, coach, and Assistant Principal.  Prior to that, I spent my first four years in education as a teacher and coach at Triton High School in Dunn, NC.  Education runs in my family.  My grandmother was a teacher, my father was a high school principal, my mother was an elementary school teacher, and my sister is currently a teacher at Apex Friendship Middle.  It was only natural I followed in all of their footsteps.  I come from a family of strong believers in public service and public education.  

My incredible wife Sarah and I live in Cary with our little crazy Cairn Terrier named Lottie Pearl.  When I am not at work, I love to spend time with Sarah and Lottie.  I'm a big fan of movies, television, music, and good food!  I love to cook and work in the yard and am a fan of all things UNC Basketball. 

I am so excited about this upcoming school year!  Our Theme for 24-25 is SEE Captains: Navigating Academic Achievement through Student Engagement and Equitable Practices.  This is going to be our best year yet!


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Mr. Francisco Chavarria, Assistant Principal

This is my 1st year at West Lake Middle School, but I have been in WCPSS for three years as an Assistant Principal. I have a master’s degree in education and an advanced graduate study in educational leadership, with 20 years of achievement in developing productive student-focused atmospheres to maximize learning experiences at the elementary, middle, and High school.

I have been employed in the educational field in diverse roles during my entire career, including science, math, and bilingual teacher, instructional math coach, and assistant principal at the middle and high school levels.  My academic education in Biology, Mathematics, and Bilingual education.

I am a transfer from Connecticut, currently live in Apex, NC, with my wife and two daughters, a dog and a cat.  In my free time, I coach and play soccer and take my daughters to practice EVERY DAY!

 


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Ms. Sharon Hizer, Assistant Principal

As a first year Assistant Principal, I am thrilled to join the West Lake Wildcat Family! I truly am humbled by how welcoming the Wildcat community has been since my arrival. First and foremost, I want to promote student social/emotional development and success.  I believe in  building strong relationships with my students and staff while increasing community involvement and service. 

I graduated from Kean University in New Jersey with my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I received my Master’s in School Administration and Curriculum and Instruction from East Carolina University. Go Pirates!

In my career as an educator I have gained invaluable experience over the past 20 years. I have served as an Intervention Team Facilitator and Teacher, Instructional Facilitator, and a National Board Certified Special Education Teacher.  While I have learned a great deal from my growing leadership experiences, I know there is still more to learn.

I am originally from New Jersey and moved to North Carolina in 2008.  I have 3 daughters, a rabbit (Fergie), and 3 grand furbabies (Remy, Genesis, and Penelope).

In my spare time, I spend time with family and friends, gardening, DIY projects in my she-shed, loving on my furbabies, and relaxing.

I look forward to partnering with families to ensure students reach their full potential.


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Dr. Michael Massey, Assistant Principal

I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the staff and students at West Lake Middle School. I have been in education since 2003 where I started my career in special education at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2005 where I started my North Carolina teaching career at West Johnston High School in Johnston County. In 2006, I moved from Johnston County Schools to Wake County Public Schools and since then I have worked at Wake Forest High School, Wake Forest Middle School, Enloe High School, Southeast Raleigh High School, River Bend MIddle School and now West Lake Middle School. Through my time in education, I have served as a school adjustment counselor, special education teacher, special education department chair, ALC/ISS coordinator and assistant principal. I have also coached multiple sports. I look forward to bringing my varied experiences to West Lake Middle School.

My educational background has provided me with the opportunity to serve as a resource for staff and students in all of the learning environments I have had the pleasure of working with. In 2003, I earned a BA in English from Framingham State University in Framingham, Massachusetts. In 2006, I earned a Master of Education in Special Education from Cambridge College. In 2009, I earned a Master of School Administration from North Carolina State University, and I completed my educational training with a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision also from North Carolina State University. I am currently a licensed principal and superintendent from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

I have two children, a 20-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son. My daughter is currently a senior at NC State and will graduate in May 2025. My son is a student at West Lake Elementary School and keeps us busy with all of his activities including basketball, baseball, football and Taekwondo. My better half, Stacy, is a teacher at Alston Ridge Middle School and together we enjoy spending quality time tackling life's adventures. As a family, we enjoy cheering on the Wolfpack and rooting for our beloved New England Patriots. Away from school, I enjoy cooking, listening to music, and spending time with my family and our fur babies (2 dogs and 2 cats).