Duplin County Schools names Employee of the Quarter

Photo by Duplin County Schools

Mrs. Debra Sholar, Duplin Health Sciences Academy Coordinator, was named Employee of the Quarter at the Board of Education meeting on May 3, 2022.

Photo by Duplin County Schools

Mrs. Sholar began her employment with Duplin County Schools in 2003 as a Marketing teacher at East Duplin High School.  In April of 2013, she began her current role and took on the awesome task of developing our first Career Academy from the ground up. With support from local partners, the Health Sciences Academy was created to provide a rigorous educational program to prepare students for a career in health care.  Mrs. Sholar’s vision, hard-work, and determination has grown the academy from 25 students in its first year to 170 students currently and it has become a model for the state.

As Coordinator, Mrs. Sholar oversees the application process, organizes countless enrichment field trips and workshops, provides summer camp and volunteer opportunities for students, and serves as their academic advisor. In addition, she facilitates three scholarships for seniors sponsored by the academy.

Although the Health Sciences Academy is a high school program, Mrs. Sholar is also involved in many K-8 activities to expose students to the healthcare field and to promote the academy. She plans a Teddy Bear Hospital for kindergarten students, participates with her ambassadors in K-8 STEAMA nights, and speaks to K-8 classrooms about health careers as requested. 

Thank you, Mrs. Sholar, for everything you do and congratulations!