Earlier this month, Yancey County Schools Superintendent Kathy Amos attended the AASA School Superintendents Association 2026 National Conference on Education in Nashville where she led an impactful session titled Educators as Crisis Leaders: How Public Education Anchors Communities in Uncertain Times, alongside Dr. Eisa Cox of Ashe County Schools and Dr. Rob Jackson of Buncombe County Schools. Together, they shared how Hurricane Helene pushed school districts to step outside their traditional roles and become critical leaders in their communities during a time of crisis.
The panel reflected on the significant challenges schools across Western North Carolina faced, including damaged facilities, disrupted communication systems, and families forced from their homes. Through these experiences, they highlighted how public schools served not only as places of learning, but as steady, trusted anchors that helped guide their communities through uncertainty and recovery. With the exception of Micaville Elementary, which was damaged by floodwaters, all active school sites in Yancey County served as critical distribution centers, shelters, and housing for emergency responders.
We are incredibly proud of Mrs. Amos and her fellow leaders for representing our district and region so well, and for sharing these important lessons of leadership and resilience with educators from across the nation.