Apex Welcomes New Assistant Principal

Kelley Simpson joins the Apex High administration
after a previous position teaching at Cary high.

Lila-Faye Joyce
Staff Writer

Kelley Simpson joined the Apex High School administrative staff in December. Before coming to Apex, Simpson attended East Carolina University and earned an undergraduate degree in middle school education. Though Simpson enjoyed teaching math, the principal of Cary High School, Doug Thilman, suggested she further her career path. “The principal [Thilman] saw leadership in me and suggested I take the next step to administration,” Simpson comments.

Simpson applied for the Principal Fellows program and earned a master’s degree in administration from N.C. State. For Simpson, the change from teaching to administration is exciting. “I’m always looking for a new challenge,” Simpson adds.


Simpson has only been at Apex for a short time but already has a few memorable moments. “I went to the Mr. Apex show my third day here,” Simpson says. “It was enlightening to see such a talented group.” Simpson, busy conducting teacher observations is impressed with what she has seen, describing Apex’s teachers as fantastic. “I like [Apex] a lot. Everyone is friendly, and I like the culture of the school,” Simpson comments.

In the future Simpson hopes to become involved with the Alternative Learning Center. Simpson wants to “help further develop the procedures and policies surrounding the ALC. I hope to also add a counseling aspect to the program,” Simpson explains. 

In her free time, Simpson enjoys being with her friends and family, including her two sons, ten year old, Sam, and fourteen year old, Hart. Hart will be a high school freshman next year at Apex. Simpson and her family are very active and involved with the sports community. When Simpson is not playing tennis with her husband on the weekends or attending her son’s sporting events, she enjoys watching the Hurricanes.