HICKORY — Hickory City Schools appointed Dr. Jessica Anthony principal of Viewmont Elementary School, the district said June 9, 2026. She begins July 1.
The district said Anthony has been a high school Spanish teacher, assistant principal, and elementary principal. Most recently she was principal of Davenport A+ Elementary School, where the district said she and her team increased student proficiency and growth across academic areas and reestablished the school’s arts-integrated program through shared leadership and teacher empowerment.
Before Davenport A+, she was assistant principal at West Caldwell High School and taught Spanish for eight years. The district said her interest in language acquisition and family connection drew her to Viewmont and its Dual Language Program.
“Dr. Anthony is an accomplished educator with a proven record of academic success, strong instructional leadership, and a deep commitment to building meaningful relationships with students, staff, and families,” Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Griffin said. “Her experience leading an elementary school, her passion for empowering teachers, and her student-centered approach make her an excellent fit for Viewmont Elementary.”
Anthony said her priorities begin and end with relationships with teachers, students, parents, and community members. “A school thrives when teachers are supported, parents are involved, and students are growing and learning,” she said.
Degrees listed: bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction and school administration from Appalachian State University; and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Liberty University.
Professional notes include 2025 Northwest Region Principal of the Year, a 2023 LifeChanger of the Year Award, graduation from the Education Policy Fellowship Program in 2026, and service on the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association board.
She and her husband, Josh, have children Ella, Brooks, and Clark. The family travels and visits Major League Baseball stadiums.
The June 9 notice does not name the outgoing Viewmont principal or list a board vote tally.
Official release from Hickory City Schools, June 9, 2026. https://www.hickoryschools.net/about/news/news-detail/~board/hickory-city-schools-news/post/hickory-city-schools-names-dr-jessica-anthony-principal-of-viewmont-elementary-school
