New Wake superintendent answers elementary students' personal questions

Moore, who will be Wake County's first female superintendent, had been the system’s deputy superintendent for academic advancement since September 2011. Moore will also be the county's first Latina school superintendent.

She has spent almost all of her 30-year public education career teaching Wake County students.

Moore began her career as a teacher in the Nash-Rocky Mount Public School System before working as an assistant principal at Apex and Enloe Magnet high schools.

She served as principal of Sanderson High School from 2000 to 2008 before serving as an area superintendent for the central region of Wake County from 2008 to 2011.

One of Moore's more well-known former students said she helped change the course of his life.

"Y'all kind of see the polished product, which I'm grateful for, but I was kind of a lost soul who needed some guidance and help along the way just to be steered in the right direction and she took a liking to me," LeVelle Moton said.

School leaders say the North Carolina School Boards Association led a nationwide search. The applications came in and were narrowed down from 20 applicants to a final pick.

"The board was extremely pleased to find the best person for the job was right here at home," a WCPSS spokesperson said in a release. "Board members feel strongly that Ms. Moore’s leadership, long-term experience in WCPSS, and her dedication to students will serve the students, staff, and community well for years to come."

Board members say having a new superintendent comes at a crucial time.

"I am humbled, I am honored, I am a little terrified," Moore said. "I know I will not lose sight at any point in my tenure as the superintendent of the tremendous responsibility and honor I have been given."

Moore's annual salary is $274,000 with benefits, and her first full day of work is Thursday, when she will be visiting students.

"I think an important part of my vision is going to be how to promote communication to a transparency around our priorities so that it can be a joint effort with the community," Moore said.

Colleagues described Moore as a person of integrity, depth and great intelligence.

"It is the work and you're moving forward, but I know that I will not lose sight at any point during my tenure as superintendent of the tremendous responsibility and honor that I've been given," Moore said.

The new superintendent will be taking over the job from Dr. Del Burns, who stepped into the role as interim superintendent earlier this year. Burns, who was superintendent from 2006 to 2010, said he had no desire to return to the job permanently.

Moore earned a bachelor’s degree in French language and literature from North Carolina State University and a master’s of school administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is pursuing a doctoral degree at East Carolina University.

"It's hard to explain just how thankful I am to lead this district because I know it's one of the best school district in America," she said.