JCPS.K12.NC.US - Key Persons
Abigail Clayton moved to Jackson County in 1995. She attended middle grades at Cullowhee Valley School, graduated from Smoky Mountain High School in 2001, and went on to attend Western Carolina University earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting (2006) and a Masters in Business Administration (2010).
After completing her undergraduate degree, Abigail began working for State Employees Credit Union where she is a Senior Financial Services Officer. Mrs. Clayton has also been the local program coordinator for Special Olympics North Carolina Jackson County since 2007. Mrs. Clayton is married, and her son attends Jackson County Public Schools.
Mrs. Clayton was elected to serve a four-year term in July 2018, and re-elected in 2022. Her current term expires in 2026.
Job Titles:
- Director of Testing and Accountability
Job Titles:
- Titles: Pre - K Teacher Assistant
Job Titles:
- Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
- Career Technical Education
Job Titles:
- Pre - K Lead Teacher Assistant
Job Titles:
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Titles: Speech / Language Pathologist
Job Titles:
- Titles: Child Nutrition Assistant / Locations: Cullowhee Valley
Job Titles:
- Physical Education Teacher
- Physical Education
Job Titles:
- Titles: Pre - K Teacher Assistant
- Titles: Teacher Assistant
Job Titles:
- Titles: 7th / 8th Grade Science
Job Titles:
- Titles: P.E. / Safety Assistant
Job Titles:
- Titles: Assistant Baseball
Job Titles:
- Titles: Teacher Assistant
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant
- Member of the Board
Job Titles:
- Bookkeeper
- Data Manager
- Finance
- Student Records
Job Titles:
- Titles: Superintendent / Locations: District
Job Titles:
- Titles: CN Assistant Substitute
Dr. Dillard has been involved in education and community support for more than 40 years. She taught at Blue Ridge School for 10 years before continuing her education and opening her own business serving two local school systems and international schools. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Emory University. She has made over 15 national presentations on innovative educational ideas and was selected as "Educator of the Year" by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce. She has served on the Blue Ridge School Education Foundation for the past 10 years.
Dr. Dillard was elected to serve a four-year term beginning July 2022.
Mrs. Cooper is a successful business woman from the Cherokee area. She has been an active volunteer at Smokey Mountain Elementary School for more than eight years. She has been PTO president, served on the Superintendent's Community Council, the School Improvement Team, and various committees.
Mrs. Cooper was appointed to the Jackson County Board of Education by a majority vote on October 29, 2010 to take office on November 1. She filled the unexpired term of Mark Brooks whose resignation became effective October 31, 2010.
Mrs. Cooper was elected to four-year terms in 2012, 2016, and 2020. She was elected vice-chair in 2018 and 2020, and she was elected chair in August 2022.
Job Titles:
- Titles: Instructional Support Assistant
Job Titles:
- Titles: 9th - 12th Social Studies Teacher
Job Titles:
- Library / Media Center
- Media Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Library / Media Center
- Media Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Deputy Superintendent
- Operations & Maintenance
Job Titles:
- Titles: Occupational Therapist / Locations: Fairview
Job Titles:
- Titles: School Nutrition Assistants
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Support Services
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Human Resources
Job Titles:
- Titles: School Psychologist
Job Titles:
- Titles: Teacher Assistant
Mrs. Moore is originally from Rutherford County, NC. She studied accounting at Greensboro College and worked in management and hospitality for more than 20 years. After owning and selling a catering business, she launched a family coaching service called "Moore Joy in Family" and wrote the book "Are All Adults Grown-Ups?" She is married with five children and is passionate about reforming and building curricula to include leadership and economics at all grade levels. Mrs. Moore was elected to serve a four-year term beginning July 2022.
Job Titles:
- Titles: 1st Grade Teacher
Job Titles:
- School Nutrition Director
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Federal Programs & Elementary Education
Job Titles:
- Titles: Instructional Support Assistant
Job Titles:
- Titles: EC Teacher Assistant
Job Titles:
- Titles: ESL Teacher & AIG
Job Titles:
- Titles: Art Teacher / Locations: Fairview
Job Titles:
- ESL Teacher
- Titles: ESL Teacher
Job Titles:
- Bookkeeper
- Data Manager
- Student Records
- Titles: Bookkeeper / Student Data Manager
Job Titles:
- Titles: Pre - K Teacher Assistant
Job Titles:
- Social Worker
- Student Attendance
- Student Support Services
Job Titles:
- Titles: Assistant / Locations: Scotts Creek
Job Titles:
- Titles: After School Assistant
Job Titles:
- Titles: 4th Grade Teacher
Job Titles:
- Titles: Bookkeeper / Student Data Manager
Job Titles:
- Titles: 7th Grade Science
Job Titles:
- School Counselor & SCC Liaison
- Titles: School Counselor
Job Titles:
- Titles: EC Teacher Assistants
Job Titles:
- Titles: 5th Grade Teacher / Locations: Fairview
Job Titles:
- Communications
- Public Information Officer
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher
- Lead Teacher / Instructional Coach
- Titles: Lead Teacher / Instructional Coach
Job Titles:
- Titles: 2nd Grade Teacher / Locations: Cullowhee Valley
Job Titles:
- Titles: Teacher Assistant
Job Titles:
- Library / Media Center
- Media Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Titles: Teacher Assistant
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Director
- Human Resources
- Title IX Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Pre - K Teacher Assistant
Job Titles:
- Titles: Physical Education Teacher / Athletic Director
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Vice Chair of the Board
Wes Jamison grew up in Jackson County. He attended Scotts Creek Elementary School, graduated from Smoky Mountain High School, and went on to N.C. State University majoring in structural engineering.
About a year after Mr. Jamison returned to the Jackson County, he was hired as an engineer for the N.C. Department of Transportation. Mr. Jamison is married and his children attend Jackson County Public Schools.
Mr. Jamison was elected to serve a four-year term beginning July 2016, and re-elected July 2020. His current term expires in 2024.