Wake County Schools

WCPSS honors Broughton Magnet High School principal as 'Principal of the Year'

The Wake County Public School System is recognizing Dr. Elena Ashburn of Broughton Magnet High School as its Principal of the Year.

Posted Updated
Dr. Elena Ashburn
By
Jessica Patrick
, WRAL multiplatform producer
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Wake County Public School System is recognizing Dr. Elena Ashburn of Broughton Magnet High School as its Principal of the Year.

Ashburn was escorted outside and surprised Friday afternoon at the front entrance of the school on St. Mary's Street in Raleigh.

She was honored with numerous gifts from donors and sponsors, including a one-night stay at The Umstead Hotel, a flat-screen TV, an HP Chromebook, a potted plant and gift cards from Angus Barn, Visa, Office Depot, Target, Amazon and Chick-fil-A.

Ashburn has served as principal at Broughton since 2017. Before that, she was principal of East Garner Magnet Middle School and assistant principal at Fuquay-Varina High School. She taught English in Durham Public Schools before transitioning to WCPSS in 2011.

When Ashburn applied for the honor, she wrote, “The true beauty of public school is that we are constitutionally required—as we should be—to educate all students who come through our school doors ... we are called to value students’ backgrounds, abilities, and talents, and at Broughton we believe every child has a gift to share.”

Ashburn holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she also obtained a master’s degree in school administration.

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