Welcome Ramily to the 2024 – 2025 school year. I am excited to start my 2nd year as the Purposeful Principal at Northeast Middle School. Our staff is also very excited and ready to teach our students this year.

I am Eric J. Puryear, Sr. and I am beginning my 2nd year as the principal of Northeast Middle School. I am also entering my 6 year as a principal and 9 in administration. Prior to Northeast, I was the principal at Lexington Senior High School in Lexington, NC. While at Lexington Senior High, the school moved a letter grade on the NC School Report card from a D to a C. Prior to Lexington, I was the principal at Hickory Career and Arts Magnet High School in Hickory, NC for 3 years. While in Hickory, we were able to increase the enrollment of the magnet school, move the school from a C to a B, and I was named the principal of the year for the Hickory City School district in 2021. I have also held Assistant Principal positions at Hickory High School and R. J. Reynolds High School in Winston – Salem, NC.

I have worked with students from all walks of life since my graduation from college at North Carolina Central University. I have an MBA from Southwest Baptist University, my administrative certification from North Carolina A and T University, and I have worked in various capacities: college football coach, high school head coach, teacher, assistant principal, and now principal, and nothing gives me more pleasure than the opportunity to help young people accomplish all of the goals that they have set forward.

I decided long ago that I would try my best to be a servant leader. I am a fervent worker in church, a diligent husband and father and I try my best to lead by example and empower my staff to be leaders in the building. I am excited to be in the profession that has chosen me and I look forward to a positive year.

Contact Information:

Email: puryeae@gcsnc.com

Phone: 336-375-2525