Pender High School

I am grateful to be entrusted as principal of Pender High School and I am looking forward to continuing to learn about the rich history and the pride our community takes in Pender High School.

Students, I welcome your voice and contribution in your educational experience at Pender High School. You are the magic ingredient to making Pender High School the flagship school in our region and beyond. In principle, I believe we must never take the parent out of parenting. I applaud you and implore you to join us in the educational process.

At Pender High School, parents/guardians/caregivers are our partners.

Kimberly Baldwin joined Pender High School as an Assistant Principal for the 2024-25 school year after previously serving in the same role at Cape Fear Middle School.

A native of Michigan, Ms. Baldwin has called the Wilmington area home since 2019. Ms. Baldwin earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University, and completed her graduate coursework in Educational Leadership from Liberty University in Lynchburg Va. Ms. Baldwin has two sons, Caiden and Christoffer, and a very energetic Jack Russell terrier named Amber.  A former Spanish teacher, she enjoys traveling throughout Latin America and visiting some of her favorite places; Cuba, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.  Ms. Baldwin also enjoys learning about history, culture, and relaxing at the beach.

Ms. Baldwin is dedicated to improving student achievement and inspiring PHS students to reach their fullest potential. 

Philip Eakins (Gardner) has served Pender County Schools for over 17 years. Being a teacher in his native county, he taught grades 6 through 8 physical education and health classes in addition to teaching 8th-grade social studies. He coached Pender High Girls' varsity basketball for four years and coached softball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, and football. In 2011 and 2015, Gardner was selected as the West Pender Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Gardner serves as an assistant principal intern at Cape Fear Elementary for the upcoming school year. In this role, he is learning how to execute administrative duties related to student achievement, testing, transportation, discipline, and the overall functions of managing and leading a school community. He will graduate from this program in May 2023.

As an ECU Pirate Leadership Academy Principal Fellow, Gardner looks forward to honing his educational and administrative leadership skills to support teachers and influence high student engagement and achievement. He also hopes to learn best practices in building and nurturing a strong school community with all stakeholders.