South Topsail Elementary School

Kathryn Bates was hired as Principal at South Topsail Elementary in July 2023.

Ms. Bates graduated from Catawba College in 2010 and began teaching in August of 2010 at Hanford Dole Elementary School for Rowan Salisbury Schools. It was during her time as a teacher, she began working diligently to create opportunities for the school and the surrounding community to work together in an effort to create a meaningful partnership. While leading these endeavors, a passion ignited from within that propelled her to seek more leadership opportunities. She applied and was accepted into the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program in 2017. As a scholarship recipient, she was able to work with a cohort of 25 aspiring principals across North Carolina and acquire knowledge and skill sets applicable to school leadership. She graduated from UNC Charlotte with her Masters in School Administration in May 2020. She served as an Assistant Principal for East Rowan High school for two years before coming to Pender County where she previously served as Assistant Principal at Topsail High School. 

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and watching/attending sporting events. She and her husband (Dominique Bates- CTE Director of Pender County) have a beautiful 5-year-old daughter named AnnaMarie. They are now residents of Hampstead, NC and love being outdoors and living near the beach. She is grateful for the warm welcoming the staff and community at South Topsail Elementary  School has given her, and looks forward to being a contributing member of the Hampstead community.

Ms. Eames was named Assistant Principal of South Topsail Elementary School beginning August 2023. 

Ms. Eames, originally from Silver Spring, Maryland, attended The University of North Carolina at Wilmington for her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education as well as her Master of School Administration. Serving in New Hanover and Pender Counties, her twenty year career in education includes roles as a classroom teacher, Gifted Specialist, Media and STEAM Coordinator, and Assistant Principal. She was a member of the 22nd graduating class of North Carolina Principal Fellows in 2017 and first served as an Assistant Principal at South Topsail following her graduation.

Ms. Eames lives in Hampstead with her husband, two boys, and her dog. She is always learning and loves reading, boating, fishing, and organizing. Ms. Eames hopes to be a positive role model for current and future Stingrays with her focus on personal growth and her passion for being a lifelong learner.