Henderson takes reins at CCS
By Kelsey Padgett
Wilson Daily Times Staff Writer
When Roy Henderson found out about the lead administrator job opening at Community Christian School, he turned to prayer as a guide into the next step in his life.
For Henderson, being an educator is not just a job — it’s what he refers to as his calling.
“To have the opportunity to ask questions to children that pushes their thinking, that gives them the opportunity to really become a unique individual is great,” sad Henderson. “There’s so many different things that children have desires to be and showing them those opportunities are there for them and having the opportunity to question and be a part of it is wonderful and really what I love about education.”
Henderson, who began his new position in early July, will be in charge of managing schedules, discipline, fundraising opportunities, day-to-day activities and big-picture projects for CCS.
“I am so excited to be here,” said Henderson. “It is wonderful. The families that I’ve met and the staff— they’re just so gracious and accommodating and wonderful.”
Henderson moved around a lot while growing up, because his father was in the Army. He moved to Wilson in 1994 to attend Barton College, where he received his undergraduate degree. He also met his wife April in college and the couple made Wilson their home.
“My wife is my best friend, my rock, my compass and my biggest supporter,” said Henderson. “We consider Wilson our home. Both of our children were born here.”
Henderson worked as an elementary school teacher in Wilson County for many years before deciding to return to the classroom himself for his graduate degree at East Carolina University.
“I was at a point in my career where I wanted to continue to explore and grow, but at the same time, I was feeling as though I wanted to be ready to take all those experiences to something new,” said Henderson.
Since receiving his administration degree 10 years ago, Henderson has worked at Hunt High School as an assistant principal, Lee Woodard Elementary as the principal and Jones Elementary as the principal.
Henderson said he decided to make the transition from the public school system to the private sector because he wanted the opportunity to minister to students.
“In a public school setting, you don’t have the opportunity to witness or minister to the students about their personal experiences,” he said. “Here, it’s a part of our everyday curriculum. It’s part of our expectation to pull in as needed where it fits for us to allow them to learn more about God and their own beliefs.”
For Henderson, his relationship with God is at the forefront of his life.
“My day begins with prayer about what I need to be doing and how I can benefit the children in the school setting and how I’m going to be able to lead the school,” said Henderson. “He is my leader. He is the direction of what I do. It’s a calling that I feel like he led me to be here.”
He said he looks forward to being a part of the weekly chapel service, where he can participate in praise and worship with the student body.
Henderson said that Christian schools are not all about growing faith, however.
“Many of these kids are going to college, many of them are going into the workforce, so we want to make sure, of course, that they have the academic expectations that they meet, but also have the love that they feel as a family that can come from the Christ-centered aspects,” said Henderson.
CCS currently has about 250 students in kindergarten through 12th grade and 250 students in the day care side.
One unique thing about CCS is the fact that a child can enter the day care program at six weeks old and attend until he or she graduates high school, said Henderson.
“In this building, we’re going to be able to see them go from diapers to graduation caps,” he said. “That is what I love about the fact that we can see children through the entire educational process under one roof. That growth, spiritually or academically, is going to be a wonderful thing to watch, to see them blossom.”
He said he is most looking forward to getting back into the routine of school.
“The first day of school is like Christmas for the adults in the building,” said Henderson. “All the buildup during the summer, and all the anticipation — it’s a wonderful time to share and just be excited about learning and just experience the love that school comes with.”
Overall, Henderson said he is excited about the new challenges and opportunities that his new position will bring.
“I’m going to need a lot of guidance that my board can give me and my staff can give me on the little things that make CCS unique,” he said. “That is one of those learning curves, I guess, but I’m looking forward to that challenge.”
By Kelsey Padgett
Wilson Daily Times Staff Writer
When Roy Henderson found out about the lead administrator job opening at Community Christian School, he turned to prayer as a guide into the next step in his life.
For Henderson, being an educator is not just a job — it’s what he refers to as his calling.
“To have the opportunity to ask questions to children that pushes their thinking, that gives them the opportunity to really become a unique individual is great,” sad Henderson. “There’s so many different things that children have desires to be and showing them those opportunities are there for them and having the opportunity to question and be a part of it is wonderful and really what I love about education.”
Henderson, who began his new position in early July, will be in charge of managing schedules, discipline, fundraising opportunities, day-to-day activities and big-picture projects for CCS.
“I am so excited to be here,” said Henderson. “It is wonderful. The families that I’ve met and the staff— they’re just so gracious and accommodating and wonderful.”
Henderson moved around a lot while growing up, because his father was in the Army. He moved to Wilson in 1994 to attend Barton College, where he received his undergraduate degree. He also met his wife April in college and the couple made Wilson their home.
“My wife is my best friend, my rock, my compass and my biggest supporter,” said Henderson. “We consider Wilson our home. Both of our children were born here.”
Henderson worked as an elementary school teacher in Wilson County for many years before deciding to return to the classroom himself for his graduate degree at East Carolina University.
“I was at a point in my career where I wanted to continue to explore and grow, but at the same time, I was feeling as though I wanted to be ready to take all those experiences to something new,” said Henderson.
Since receiving his administration degree 10 years ago, Henderson has worked at Hunt High School as an assistant principal, Lee Woodard Elementary as the principal and Jones Elementary as the principal.
Henderson said he decided to make the transition from the public school system to the private sector because he wanted the opportunity to minister to students.
“In a public school setting, you don’t have the opportunity to witness or minister to the students about their personal experiences,” he said. “Here, it’s a part of our everyday curriculum. It’s part of our expectation to pull in as needed where it fits for us to allow them to learn more about God and their own beliefs.”
For Henderson, his relationship with God is at the forefront of his life.
“My day begins with prayer about what I need to be doing and how I can benefit the children in the school setting and how I’m going to be able to lead the school,” said Henderson. “He is my leader. He is the direction of what I do. It’s a calling that I feel like he led me to be here.”
He said he looks forward to being a part of the weekly chapel service, where he can participate in praise and worship with the student body.
Henderson said that Christian schools are not all about growing faith, however.
“Many of these kids are going to college, many of them are going into the workforce, so we want to make sure, of course, that they have the academic expectations that they meet, but also have the love that they feel as a family that can come from the Christ-centered aspects,” said Henderson.
CCS currently has about 250 students in kindergarten through 12th grade and 250 students in the day care side.
One unique thing about CCS is the fact that a child can enter the day care program at six weeks old and attend until he or she graduates high school, said Henderson.
“In this building, we’re going to be able to see them go from diapers to graduation caps,” he said. “That is what I love about the fact that we can see children through the entire educational process under one roof. That growth, spiritually or academically, is going to be a wonderful thing to watch, to see them blossom.”
He said he is most looking forward to getting back into the routine of school.
“The first day of school is like Christmas for the adults in the building,” said Henderson. “All the buildup during the summer, and all the anticipation — it’s a wonderful time to share and just be excited about learning and just experience the love that school comes with.”
Overall, Henderson said he is excited about the new challenges and opportunities that his new position will bring.
“I’m going to need a lot of guidance that my board can give me and my staff can give me on the little things that make CCS unique,” he said. “That is one of those learning curves, I guess, but I’m looking forward to that challenge.”
