It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Historic Bethabara Park gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Winston-Salem, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Looking for a placement is always difficult for a family. Contacting Sandy to help was the best option. She was familiar with all assisted living/memory care facilities around town and was quick to respond to the family with tours. She delivered FL2 forms to physician's and made the transition an easy process. I recommend Sandy 100 % for any family needing a smaller community for their elderly family member.”
“I have been working for ABC for two years now, and I am very grateful for my position. The staff are acceptable, the clients are lovely, and the environments are professional. I highly recommend PCAs and CNAs to apply.”
“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go above and beyond for staff/clients. Highly recommend for employment and senior in-home care support.”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients..”
“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”
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“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped with a family member’s search with care and consideration. We highly recommend.”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very tight timeframe to find a suitable memory care facility for my family member. She asked a lot of questions about my loved one to try and get to know her as much as possible. She worked very fast and lined up several appointments for us to tour places within a matter of days. She explained the process to me every step of the way and made sure we stayed on track. She attended the appointments with me and asked questions that I would never think to ask. I can’t thank her enough.”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
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“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Bailey Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Downtown Grille or visit Old Salem Museums Gardens, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Winston-Salem, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Winston-Salem, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Winston-Salem, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. —Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools just revealed that the district's financial shortfall is now estimated to be around $42 million for this fiscal year alone.In March, former CFO Thomas Kranz estimated that the district was in a $8 million shortfall for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.In April, district leaders hired a financial firm to get a clearer estimate of the district’s financial troubles. The consultants started working on April 29.After almost a month of work...
FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. —
Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools just revealed that the district's financial shortfall is now estimated to be around $42 million for this fiscal year alone.
In March, former CFO Thomas Kranz estimated that the district was in a $8 million shortfall for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
In April, district leaders hired a financial firm to get a clearer estimate of the district’s financial troubles. The consultants started working on April 29.
After almost a month of work, the district says the consultants found that $8 million shortfall figure to be an underestimation.
On Friday, the district updated the school community, revealing that the shortfall now totals about $42 million for this fiscal year alone.
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It is still unclear exactly how the district managed to overspend that amount of money.
District leaders said they plan to use all of their unrestricted fund balance to help cover the expenses and are working with the county on repayment options.
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The district still needs to find $13 million for next year, having already cut $23 million to do so.
The district has promised to provide up-to-date information regarding its financial situation.
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Backstage in the dark, a lone figure dressed in black focuses intently on a thick script with hundreds of “cues.” She stands serenely in a puddle of pale light and whispers into a headset microphone, “Go!”Light floods the stage. Actors scramble to enter and exit portals whose doors slam with loud cracks. Voices shout over one another – now wheedling, now lustful, now angry, now afraid. The play – “Unnecessary Farce” at Little Theatre of Winston-Salem – courts chaos.But fear ...
Backstage in the dark, a lone figure dressed in black focuses intently on a thick script with hundreds of “cues.” She stands serenely in a puddle of pale light and whispers into a headset microphone, “Go!”
Light floods the stage. Actors scramble to enter and exit portals whose doors slam with loud cracks. Voices shout over one another – now wheedling, now lustful, now angry, now afraid. The play – “Unnecessary Farce” at Little Theatre of Winston-Salem – courts chaos.
But fear not! For the next two hours or so, the unsung hero of live theater will hold the space for a smooth and successful show.
The stage manager is in charge.
The job includes nearly every aspect of a theatrical production or event. Stage managers work closely with the director, the creative team, the production team, the cast, and the crew, from auditions to the final performance, explains Nikki Hyde, an assistant professor at UNC School of the Arts who teaches stage management in the School of Design and Production.
“Usually, the lead stage manager is the person who calls the cues, meaning that any time the lights change or anytime you hear a new sound cue, the stage manager is the person saying, ‘Go!,’ to an operator who is making that happen and coordinating all those things in performance,” Hyde says.
They manage schedules and day-to-day operations in rehearsal and during production. Once the show is up and running, they are the lead person for the maintenance of the show, so if any changes are made, they are the person who gives notes to the performers or the technical team. They keep the show looking, sounding, and feeling as the director and the creative team intended.
If the play is new and gets picked up to be done again in another theater, the stage manager's paperwork and documentation will move on with the show to its next production.
Hyde, who has spent her career stage managing theater, opera and special events, explains the most important skills for the job.
“I always start with a love of what we do,” Hyde says. “It’s a baseline. Anybody who works in theater in any capacity has got to love it.”
After love, other abilities that naturally flow from the scope of the job are good organization and communication skills (written and verbal) and adaptability.
Kathy Cissna, Elizabeth Rief, and Brittany Giles-Jones are three of the people who embody those skills in the Winston-Salem area.
Kathy Cissna grew up in “a suburb of a suburb” of Pittsburgh and got her bachelor’s degree in theater from a small liberal arts college in Northwest Pennsylvania. She started out acting but soon found that she liked being backstage.
“As a stage manager, you get to be involved in all aspects of productions,” she says. “My dad was involved in local community theater. He was a singer and also did backstage tech work. I tagged along.”
The first show that Cissna stage-managed, “Born Yesterday,” was a trial by fire.
“They (the community theater) borrowed a whole bunch of fur coats for the cast from local fur shop,” Cissna says. “They installed an incredible security system. We put padlocks on the theater, and I was the person with the keys. They gave me a whole lot of responsibility, and I rose to the occasion.”
She’s still taking on that kind of responsibility 50 years later, in between acting roles, working at Reynolds American and raising a family.
Brittany Giles-Jones, who lives in Stone Mountain, Ga., and frequently comes to Winston-Salem to stage manage shows for N.C. Black Repertory Co., also grew up in theater.
“I grew up in the arts,” she says. “Then I went to college. I didn’t want to go the starving-artist route, so I went more into management, into being a talent agent.”
But her heart kept pulling her back into live theatre. “I went to see a client in a show, and I started trying to get back into the theater,” Giles-Jones says.
She started stage-managing at Horizon Theatre, a highly regarded theater in Atlanta. From there, she went to Juilliard School in New York as a stage-management intern. She continued to work in stage management, joined a union, and even did a stint as assisting managing director in the Drama Department at Juilliard.
In an example of how experience as a stage manager can translate to other jobs, Giles-Jones is currently working an emergency manager and pursuing a doctorate degree in the humanities with a focus on disaster research.
A “yearbook person” in high school, Elizabeth Rief discovered the joys of theater at Wake Forest University.
“A friend was working on ‘Our Town.’ I went and talked to John Friedenberg,” Rief says. “He said, ‘We need someone to stage manage,’ and I jumped in.” Friedenberg was the head of the theater department at Wake from 1988 to 2020.
“‘Our Town’ had all the things: set changes, complex costume changes,” Rief says. “I got exposed to all the technologies – props, construction, carpentry, sound, lights - so I really loved it.”
She loved it so much that she changed her major from Latin and history to theater. She and her classmates bonded to the extent that they functioned as a production company putting together their senior shows.
While she was trying to figure out how to stay in Winston-Salem after graduation instead of returning to Florida, where she is from, Rief got her first job at Little Theatre of Winston-Salem. That was “Guys and Dolls” in 1994. She has stage-managed a show for them every year for the past 30 years. She’s also worked at Theatre Alliance of Winston-Salem, Spirit Gum Theatre, Paper Lantern and more.
“What I love about stage managing is that you are the person who’s developing all the components of the production, from welcoming people to auditions to the last performance,” Rief says. “I think of it as a wagon wheel; you are the center, and everybody is connected to you, and you are taking information in and sending it out to wherever it needs to go.
“Big River,” a musical, contains a sequence of cues that allows a raft to break free of its moorings and take Huckleberry Finn and Jim on an adventure down the Mississippi River.
“You have crews standing by to release raft, you’ve got actors in the wings, you’ve got somebody getting ready to release the fog. You’ve got 10 things that have to happen in perfect sequence, and it did,” Rief says. “It remains one of my favorite moments in theater. When I see other productions, I wait for that moment.
“All I did was say, ‘Go!’ and they all worked together to make something happen. You can’t beat that moment when you know you have the right people to do the job, and you know that it is all going to work.”
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The budget challenges facing Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools appear to be growing.District leaders reported last week that it faces a $42 million deficit.They made a point at tonight's board meeting, saying it's at least $42 million, meaning the number could be higher.Tensions ran ...
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The budget challenges facing Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools appear to be growing.
District leaders reported last week that it faces a $42 million deficit.
They made a point at tonight's board meeting, saying it's at least $42 million, meaning the number could be higher.
Tensions ran high at Tuesday's Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools board of education meeting.
Some board members said someone has to pay. Both Councilmembers Susan Miller and Robert Barr called for Superintendent Tricia McManus' termination.
"I would like permission to make a motion to terminate Superintendent McManus," said one board member.
Some board members think the situation requires accountability.
"I say this with all due respect, the superintendent should not be allowed to retire, but I'm gonna say this and I'm gonna get booed, the superintendent should get terminated because of where we are financially."
The board chair said it was too late to introduce a motion like that.
Another board member criticized his colleagues and accused them of playing politics
"I am appalled that you would say this is not political grandstanding. This is not about party. It is. You've been listening to what you've been told by some folks in your party."
He said the board has had plenty of opportunities to call for action in closed sessions.
He accused them of trying to score points by doing so publicly.
McManus, who's set to retire next month, didn't address the call to fire her in the meeting tonight.
She said a lot about the budget, though.
"There are many things, that as I'm meeting with the consultants and I'm meeting with teams of people that we are uncovering, that have just been practiced for a long time, that didn't add to this right now but it is a compilation of year after year of things being added and not enough being taken away."
Ideas for cost-cutting include increasing class size by one or two students, borrowing from other funds, and asking staff to contribute to their dental plan.
Right now, it's free.
One idea is to ask them to chip in $25 a month.
McManus said they could also consider cutting jobs or positions.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools might also seek a one-time payment of $32.1 million from Forsyth County, to be paid back on terms agreed to by both the school board and the Board of Commissioners.
A North Carolina mom dies at graduation just moments before she could watch her daughter walk across the stage at Parkland High School’s ceremony in Winston-Salem....
A North Carolina mom dies at graduation just moments before she could watch her daughter walk across the stage at Parkland High School’s ceremony in Winston-Salem.
Jean Byrd, originally from Philadelphia, was walking through the parking lot of Joel Coliseum on Friday, May 23, to attend her daughter Meilean’s high school graduation. Tragically, just steps away from the entrance, Byrd collapsed and became unresponsive.
Her son, Marquan Matthews, was at the ceremony and performed CPR on their mother while his sister Meilean walked across the stage inside, unaware of what was unfolding. According to the family’s GoFundMe page, Jean Byrd passed away about an hour later—only 200 feet away from the venue.
WXII reports that after Meilean sat back down, a guidance counselor gently escorted her from the ceremony and was taken to the hospital to be with her mother.
Byrd was deeply loved, and her family now hopes to honor her final wish of being buried in her hometown of Philadelphia. The family has launched a GoFundMe to support their family.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —Sedge Garden Elementary is getting a new principal, following allegations of mistreatment of students in the school's special needs pre-K program. Those allegations involved several staff members.Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools named Donald Wyatt to the role, who is currently the principal of Mount Tabor High School. He first joined the dis...
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —
Sedge Garden Elementary is getting a new principal, following allegations of mistreatment of students in the school's special needs pre-K program. Those allegations involved several staff members.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools named Donald Wyatt to the role, who is currently the principal of Mount Tabor High School. He first joined the district as a teacher at Union Cross Elementary in 2010. From there, he became the principal at East Forsyth Middle School and served as the assistant principal and principal of Sedge Garden Elementary before becoming principal at Mount Tabor High School.
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The district provided the following information about the other principals named to their new roles:
Following information provided by Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
Matt Dixson has experience in roles at the elementary, middle, and district levels. Most recently, he served as principal of Meadowlark Middle School, where he was recognized as a 2023 Principal of the Year nominee. He has also held the position of chief human resources officer for WS/FCS. He began his career in the classroom, teaching third and fourth grades before moving into administration.
Mr. Dixson holds an Education Specialist degree and administrative licensure from Appalachian State University, along with a Master of Arts in teaching from Salem College and a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University.
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Stephanie Jordan currently serves as principal of Wiley Magnet Middle School and has previously led Frank Morgan Elementary School and Hanford Dole Elementary School in Rowan County. Under her leadership, schools have consistently met or exceeded growth expectations, and she was recognized as a Top 5 Finalist for WS/FCS Principal of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.
Dr. Jordan holds a doctorate in educational leadership from High Point University and has served in various leadership roles across the district, including president of the Forsyth Principal Association.
Colin Tribby currently serves as principal of Ward Elementary School, where he oversaw a 13-point increase in the school’s overall composite score. He began his administrative career serving as a principal intern at Wiley Middle School. He was assistant principal at The Downtown School, R.J. Reynolds High School, and Glenn High School, and principal at Easton Elementary School and in Davidson County at Thomasville Primary before moving to Ward.
Mr. Tribby is currently completing his doctor of education in educational leadership at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and serves on the WS/FCS District Planning Team and the board of the Forsyth Principals' Association. He has a post-masters Certificate of School Administration from UNC-G, a Master of Arts in music performance from the University of Rochester, and a Bachelor of Arts in music performance from the UNC School of the Arts.
Walter Johnson is currently serving as co-principal at Parkland High School, where he has co-led the school through the 2024–25 academic year with a focus on student engagement, community partnerships, and academic achievement. Prior to this role, he served as principal of Forbush Middle School in Yadkin County and held assistant principal positions at East Forsyth, Walkertown, and Parkland High Schools in WS/FCS.
Mr. Johnson holds an Education Specialist degree from East Carolina University, a master’s in school administration from Appalachian State University, and a Bachelor of Science in middle grades education from Winston-Salem State University.
Justin Marckel currently serves as principal of Moore Elementary School, where he led the school to significant academic gains, including exiting the NC Low-Performing School List and exceeding growth expectations. Previously, he was an English/language arts teacher at Hanes Middle School, as well as an assistant principal at Philo-Hill Magnet School and Southwest Elementary School in WS/FCS and at Cornatzer Elementary School in Davie County.
Dr. Marckel holds a doctorate in educational leadership from High Point University and has led numerous district initiatives, including work on deeper learning, teacher residency, and talent acquisition.
Rod Dupree is the new principal of Main Street Academy and Cynthia Russell has been named principal of Morgan Elementary School.
Dupree currently serves as the principal of Kingswood K-12. He started that role in 2015. He has a proven track record of successfully working with at-risk students and fostering a positive learning environment for students and staff. In the fall, the 6-12 portion of Kingswood will merge with Main Street.
He began his education career in 1998 as an exceptional children’s teacher. He later became a school counselor, assistant principal, and principal. He joined WS/FCS in 2010 as an assistant principal at Griffith Academy, which became Main Street Academy.
Dupree holds degrees in psychology, student counseling, and school administration, all from North Carolina A&T State University.
Russell currently serves as principal of Gibson Elementary School, where she has led the school for the past three years following her promotion from assistant principal.
Prior to her tenure at Gibson, Ms. Russell served as an instructional facilitator at John F. Kennedy High School and held leadership roles in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, including district-level support for Title I and advanced studies programs.
She holds a Master of Arts in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University and a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education from Winston-Salem State University.
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