Principal - Michelle K. Thigpen

I am very excited to be the principal at Southwest Elementary School. Prior to joining Southwest, I served as the principal at Colfax Elementary for 11 years, the principal at Hampton Elementary for 2 years, and the assistant principal at Pilot Elementary for 2 years. I also worked as a school counselor for Oak Hill Elementary. I received my BA degree from SUNY Oneonta. I received a MS in School Administration and a MS in School Counseling from UNCG.

I live in Summerfield, NC. My husband, Jeff, and I have a daughter named Elle and a son named Aiden. In my free time, I enjoy reading, outdoor activities, and spending time with family and friends.

I look forward to an amazing school year on the ranch.

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Assistant Principal- Jeanelle Lindsay

Jeanelle Lindsay is excited to join Southwest Elementary Cowboy’s family as an Assistant Principal. She brings nineteen years of educational experience in both Guilford and Wake Counties. Prior to arriving at Southwest Elementary, Mrs. Lindsay served as a Reading Specialist for grades first through fifth grade and a Title 1 Coordinator at Morehead Expressive Arts Magnet in Guilford County.

Mrs. Lindsay’s educational career also includes four years as a special education teacher in both self-contained and inclusion settings, Pre-K 2^nd grade teacher, and an Adjunct Developmental Reading Professor for three years at Guilford Technical Community College.

During Mrs. Lindsay’s thirteen years at Morehead, she was a Guilford County Right Start presenter for new K-1 teachers in the district for three years. She spearheaded several service learning school initiatives that were awarded Guilford Counties annual Merry Giving award three years in a row and she was a 2012 finalist for mentor of the year for Guilford County. Mrs. Lindsay was a member of the Guilford County say Yes task force committee.

Mrs. Lindsay earned her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. A graduate degree in Curriculum Instruction with a Concentration in Reading from The University of North Carolina @ Greensboro and her Post Masters Administration license from the University of North Carolina @ Greensboro.

Mrs. Lindsay has a wonderful husband Ty and Two children, Aaron and Joslyn that attend Northwest High school and Kernodle Middle.

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Assistant Principal- Chris Sciandra

I am so excited to be starting my 3rd year as a Southwest Elementary Cowboy. I possess over 20 years of educational experience, all of it with Guilford County Schools. My previous administrative experience has been as the Student Services Administrator for the Southeastern Region. Prior to these roles, I served as an Assistant Principal, Curriculum Facilitator, Math Coach and I taught elementary grades for 10 years. My educational career includes a Bachelor’s of Elementary Education from SUNY Fredonia and a Masters of School Administration from UNCG.

I am excited to bring my experiences as an educational leader to Southwest Elementary and work with families as partners in education to ensure our students’ success. My greatest initiative is to provide the leadership that will ensure the academic excellence of all students through exciting and challenging enrichment opportunities. The educational program must engage each student by linking the curriculum to previous knowledge and experience and to promote further exploration of new ideas. I believe strongly in the necessity and importance of building positive relationships with all stakeholders. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at sciandc2@gcsnc.com or call (336) 819-2992. It is my honor to become a member of this great school community!