Wayne Preparatory Academy has named Dr. Steven Taylor as the school’s new Executive Director.

Taylor, who was chosen by the WPA Board of Directors following an exhaustive search process, comes to the school with more than 30 years of education experience – nearly all with Wayne County Public Schools, including 14 as Superintendent.

Most recently Taylor served as Interim Headmaster at Wayne Country Day School, helping to lead the school through its COVID experience.

In addition to his years as Superintendent, Taylor also served as assistant superintendent for human resources, director of transportation, and principal of Eureka Elementary School.

Taylor is a graduate of East Carolina University where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Taylor earned his Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Michigan State University.

Taylor also has been a member of the NC Association of School Administrators, the NC Association of Educators, and a number of other professional educational organizations, and was a three-time Wayne County Association of Educational Office Professionals Administrator of the Year.

In addition to his time in education, Taylor has served on the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the United Way of Wayne County Board of Directors, and as an Executive Board Member for the Tuscarora Council Boy Scouts of America.

The Board would like to thank Dr. Tina Hinson for serving as Interim Executive Director following John Twitty’s retirement in January and for her efforts in guiding our schools through this time of transition.

Dr. Hinson, who has been with WPA since 2021, will remain as the WPA Elementary Principal and will also serve as the Director of Federal Funding and Programs.

Taylor will begin in his new role on June 17.