Becoats Named Chief Curriculum and Organizational Development Officer

Guilford County Schools (GCS) announced the appointment of Dr. Jocelyn B. Becoats as Chief Curriculum and Organizational Development Officer at Tuesday's Guilford County Board of Education meeting.

In her new position, Becoats will be responsible for oversight of several of the district's academic divisions, including Curriculum and Instruction, Federal and Special Programs, Induction and Professional Development, Advanced Learning, Virtual Learning and Media Services.

Becoats joined GCS in 2006 as an instructional improvement officer. In April 2008, she began serving as the middle school curriculum officer and then Executive Director of K-8 Curriculum. During her time in that role, her work assisted the district in improving End-of-Grade math and reading performance.

"Jocelyn's strong work ethic, organizational skills, curriculum and instruction knowledge and school-based experiences will continue to benefit the district as we move toward reaching our academic goals," said Dr. Beth Folger, chief academic officer. "Her leadership has been evident through her involvement with multiple large-scale initiatives, including service to Priority One schools, early literacy programs and preparation for the Common Core and new state standards."

Most recently, Becoats served as project team lead for the African-American male achievement subcommittee on early literacy. She organized a summer symposium for more than 230 teachers and administrators that included presentations by some of the nation's leading experts in literacy, culturally relevant literature and implicit bias. The symposium launched a pilot program for six elementary schools in an effort to improve early literacy opportunities for African-American males.

Before coming to GCS, Becoats taught mathematics, served as a middle and high school assistant principal, and served as a middle school principal for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. She holds bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in education from North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro respectively.

Dr. Barbara Zwadyk, who has served as Chief Curriculum and Organizational Development Officer since 2009, will retire in December. Until her retirement, she will serve the district on special assignment, including assistance with Becoats' transition into the position.