Meet Mitzi Story, Principal

Joined Team CCS - August 1993

Experience 
I have worked in public education within Catawba County Schools for 23 years at both the school and district levels. I began my teaching career at Claremont Elementary as an exceptional children's teacher teaching in resource and inclusion settings. I then moved to the district level to become an EC program specialist, where I worked directly with EC teachers, administrators, and the families of students who were experiencing academic and emotional difficulties. In this role, I assisted with the evaluation process, facilitated IEP meetings to determine student eligibility and audited federal and state paperwork. In 2005, I applied for and received the Principal Fellows Scholarship. I was able to take an educational leave to pursue my degree in school administration. Upon graduation, I was offered an assistant principal position at Claremont Elementary School, where I served one year. I then moved to Mill Creek Middle School and served as the assistant principal for five years. In the spring of 2013, I was given the opportunity to become the principal of Murray Elementary, where I served 3 years before coming to my current position as principal of Tuttle Elementary. Catawba County Schools has been a wonderful place for me to grow as a leader.  

Education 
B.S. Special Education
M.A. School Administration

Why I Became an Educator 
I was originally drawn to the field of education because of my grandmother. She was an exceptional children’s teacher at Conover School. In this role she worked with the most disabled population. She would share stories of the things that would happen within her class, and as she spoke, I could hear the love and compassion she had for her students. She was the most patient person, and I admired her selflessness. She always held high expectations for them and pushed them to do their very best. On some occasions I would be allowed to go to school with her and assist in her room. It was then that I knew I wanted to work with special needs students. I was able to work at Conover School's summer program several years while in college, and those are still some of my most favorite memories.  

Favorite Place in Catawba County
My favorite place is dinner on my back porch with family and friends.

Favorite Activities
I love being outside - working in my yard, walking and playing tennis are just a few of my hobbies.

Anything Else You Want Us To Know?
I was fortunate to graduate from Bandys High School and bring home 3 State Championship  (1 softball, 2 basketball).

I joined Catawba County Schools because I wanted the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students with special needs.

Meet Amy Plonk, Assistant Principal

Joined Team CCS - August 2022

How It Started:

Born into a family of educators, our school day was a conversation at the dinner table every night. Both my parents were involved in PTA at my elementary school and big supporters of public education. It seemed natural to follow in their footsteps. 

Experience:

I began my teaching career in December of 1997 at Graham Elementary school in Shelby, North Carolina. In 1999 I moved to Lincoln County, and began teaching at Rock Springs Elementary. I began my administrative career at Tuttle Elementary in 2022. 

Education:
B.S. Elementary Education, K-6 from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
M.A. Executive Leadership - Gardner Webb University 

What I Believe in the Most: 
Relationships. It is essential to create relationships with students, families, and staff. 

Favorite Activities:
My family and I enjoy spending time together on Lake Norman. In the summer we travel to MLB baseball stadiums. We have been to 15 of the 30 stadiums. 

Something Unique About Me:
I love to mow grass. One Mother’s Day I got the best gift, a new mower. I can count on 2 hands the number of times my husband has mowed our grass over the past 23 years.