![Congratulations to our Director of Secondary Education and photo of Dr. Ryan McCreary]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745854231/catawbaschoolsnet/fop72cc1rpnu3yuui664/NewDirector-Principaletc.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745854231/catawbaschoolsnet/fop72cc1rpnu3yuui664/NewDirector-Principaletc.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1745854231/catawbaschoolsnet/fop72cc1rpnu3yuui664/NewDirector-Principaletc.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745854231/catawbaschoolsnet/fop72cc1rpnu3yuui664/NewDirector-Principaletc.png","width":1200}])
NEWTON, April 28, 2025 — Catawba County Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Stover announced the appointment of Dr. Ryan McCreary as the district’s new Director of Secondary Education and Fine Arts. The Board of Education confirmed his selection during Monday night’s regular meeting. Dr. McCreary will officially assume the role on July 1, 2025.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. McCreary stepping into this important leadership role,” said Dr. Stover. “His experience at every level—elementary, middle, and high school—combined with his strong instructional background and passion for student success, will be a tremendous asset to our secondary schools and fine arts programs.”
Dr. McCreary brings a wide range of experience to the position. Earlier in his career, he served as Principal at Central Wilkes Middle School in Wilkes County Schools, then advanced to leadership roles at both the elementary and high school levels in Hickory City Schools, including serving as Principal of Hickory High School. He later worked with the K-64 College and Career program at Catawba Valley Community College before joining Catawba County Schools as Principal of Clyde Campbell Elementary School. He also previously taught high school mathematics.
Dr. McCreary holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Spanish from Lenoir-Rhyne University, a Master’s degree in School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University. He is also a graduate of the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program and has completed the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association (NCPAPA) Distinguished Leadership in Practice program.
As Director of Secondary Education and Fine Arts, Dr. McCreary will be responsible for coordinating instructional programs for grades seven through twelve and overseeing all fine arts activities across the district. He will report to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and work collaboratively with other directors to implement a successful Pre-Kindergarten through twelfth-grade instructional program.
Reflecting on his new role, Dr. McCreary shared, “I am honored to serve as the Director of Secondary Programs and Fine Arts. I love Catawba County Schools and believe it is a wonderful place to work and learn. We have excellent students, teachers, administrators, and support staff. I am excited about this new opportunity and look forward to working collaboratively with our middle and high schools as well as our fine arts programs to continue our long history of success.”