WHAT OTHERS SAY
WHAT OTHERS SAY
Former Chief Finance Office, Chatham County Schools (now in Alamance County Schools)
"In terms of temperament and personality, Dr. Moran is a highly relational individual who, even in the most challenging of circumstances, is incredibly focused and thoughtful in her interactions with others. Dr. Moran is a tremendous advocate for schools, and has a way of engaging all stakeholders that makes them proud of their school community. From the financial side of administrators, there is no doubt that she has the strongest understanding of finances outside of the finance office, and her approach to responsibly utilizing these funds has benefited the entire district."
Principal, Former Chatham County Schools
"Dr. Moran has the positive, caring, and nurturing personality that is aptly suited to this profession. She is collaborative by nature and motivates others effortlessly. She cultivates relationships and makes connections with staff that nudge them to make changes for improved performance. Her feedback is explicit, useful, research-based, and data-driven. She provides meaningful and targeted professional development that is relevant to our needs as school leaders. Dr. Moran truly cares about our schools and often volunteers to assist when extra bodies are needed. She is well respected by all who have the opportunity to work with her."
Principal, Wake County Schools
"I distinctly remember our completing a walkthrough together in a first grade classroom and I watched as Dr. Moran quietly studied stacks of student homework at a side table. Outside in the hallway, Dr. Moran detailed for me ways the classroom teacher could improve the feedback she was giving her students. Many of my principal colleagues have had similar experiences and the common refrain heard among my peers is how fortunate we all are that Dr. Moran is an instructional expert in every sense of the word. I must also point to her ability to inspire, encourage, and challenge our building leaders. In my second year as principal at SCE, we remained a ‘focus’ school with a D score in math and an F score in reading. We had failed to meet expected growth. Dr. Moran spoke to me about areas where I needed to grow as an instructional leader (the need to narrow my areas of focus), but also highlighted the strengths she saw in my leadership. Dr. Moran pointed out the many decisions we had made that would eventually lead to student success. Dr. Moran also assigned support staff to our school from Central Services whom she identified would work best with my leadership style and the needs of our school. Finally, she shared with me an activity (The Bamboo Story) encouraging me to stay the course--the bamboo would grow. Since that time, our reading results have risen to a C, our math results to a B, our composite achievement score has grown 18 points, and we exceeded expected growth for three consecutive years. Sitting on my side table, I have the handwritten notes Dr. Moran wrote to me to help celebrate our successes. They remain there as a reminder of my gratefulness to all Dr. Moran has done for our students, school and me personally."
Senior Executive Director, Excellence & Opportunity, Chatham County Schools, currently Interim Assistant Superintendent for Academics
"When the pandemic struck and paralyzed our world, we were all looking for guidance and direction. Dr. Moran provided that guidance. She was proactive and quickly put systems in place to make sure instruction continued for students without burdening teachers. When schools all closed on March 16th, Dr. Moran had already facilitated conversations regarding at home learning with instructional teams days before, and learning packets were already at the printer. Within days after March 16th, all schools had instructional packets copied and ready for students. Dr. Moran then led the instructional division in building a Chatham County Schools At Home Learning website. This website not only served as the professional learning hub for teachers and principals, but also offered a plethora of information for parents as they worked to support learning from home. Dr. Moran also created structures to ensure that teachers and administrators had access to high quality professional learning. The power of Dr. Moran’ work and leadership is the fact that she leads and others want to replicate her efforts. Within weeks of creating the district’s At Home Learning website, several schools developed websites (Here is one of many examples.) to support their students and teachers. This was not a mandate or even a suggestion, but the influence of strong, effective leadership."
Chief of Student Support Services, Chatham County Schools
"Dr. Moran's talent for branding our district has been unsurpassed. Although those outward identifications of her work have been impressive, they pale in comparison for her passion for equity. The Chatham County School’s Equity Team she created and leads provides a platform for ensuring that all students have access to what they need in order to be successful. She has been a courageous leader in the difficult conversations around not only ensuring racial equity but ensuring equity for all disenfranchised students. This work defines who she is as a leader as well as a person. I can’t say enough about how Dr. Amanda Moran has influenced who we are as a district and me professionally and personally. She challenges me, she inspires me and she changed the way I see the role of a district leader."
Director of Technology, Academic and Student Affairs Division- NC State University
"One of the best leadership traits Amanda brings to the table whether as a supervisor, or colleague, is her relentless optimism and laser focus on innovation as a catalyst for positive instructional student outcomes.. She is able to build broad support and partnerships with community stakeholders around opportunities for student improvement that are both meaningful and lasting. Willing to take smart risks, her collaborative leadership is evident at all times as she works to find opportunities for meaningful stakeholder input. She remains thoughtful about organizational purpose and is a conscientious leader who is considerate of equity issues to ensure every student has a strong voice at the instructional table."
Former CHCCS Superintendent of over 20 years, Former Executive Director of CCRESA
“Dr. Moran has experienced success in the leadership roles that she has held at the school and district level. She strikes a good balance between attending to details and seeing the big picture. She takes her work seriously and focuses on what's most important; i.e. the success of her students. Between her direct experience and the leaders that she has worked under, I believe that she is well prepared to move into the role of superintendent. She is a unique and talented leader.”
Former Executive Director of the Chatham Education Foundation
“Over the past seven years I have worked with Amanda as a community partner. Amanda is a committed professional, dedicated to innovation in the district contentiously backed by research and knowledge. Whether we are working on closing the achievement gap in students during the summer months, or increasing third grade reading proficiency year-round, she is dedicated to ALL students, across All schools and ALL socio-economic statuses. While she leads with a strong background knowledge, it is her organization, passion for individual student success, and leadership skills that put her knowledge into action. When speaking to a group of community partners or parents, Amanda instills confidence the districts abilities to successfully education students and parents and partners walk away encouraged, educated and content.”
East Carolina University Professor
“Amanda has been one of the less vocal students in my classes, but make no mistake, she is quite the deep thinker. When she speaks, people listen. Her burning passion is helping students – especially the students whose only hope in life is a good education.”
Previous McDougle Elementary PTA Parent and SIT Parent
“There is a genuine, palpable enthusiasm in the air when one enters MES. Amanda has created an environment where all children are motivated to succeed and staff members believe that all students can achieve at high levels. She has broken down barriers and has encouraged all stakeholders to engage in open and sometimes very difficult discussions regarding inequity in our school. By taking risks and making herself vulnerable, Amanda has gained the trust of staff, students and parents.”
Education Strategist, RTI International
“Dr. Moran demonstrates a vision and passion for ALL children to be actively engaged in the learning process. Her commitment to and knowledge of excellent instruction and rigorous curriculum continues to move all stakeholders forward in implementing her vision and passion through a model of continuous improvement. “
Current Principal in Durham, NC (former staff member)
“Often times I find leaders are too formal. With Amanda, what you see is what you get. She talks the talk and walks the walk everyday. She doesn't need to wear a fancy suit or spout out the latest research to get the job done for students. Amanda is upfront and honest yet personable and approachable and all around real. She is a problem solver who loves to be creative and think outside of the box! Amanda never settles for the status quo!”
Former Principal- McDougle Elementary
“Amanda has truly been a dynamic mentor for me serving as her Assistant Principal. Not only does she have high expectations of all of the people working around her, she does not expect anything of others she is not willing to do herself. She is the epitome' of a hands-on leader. You would need to search high and low to find anyone who will work as tirelessly as Amanda does.”
Retired Teacher (former staff member)
“Of all the leadership qualities Amanda possesses, her ability to make change happen in a positive way stands out. Amanda has used her “down to earth” interpersonal skills and creativity to develop trust resulting in strong working relationships with both parents and staff. This has enabled her to make major changes to the culture at McDougle Elementary in a very short time. Changing McDougle's culture has not been easy but Amanda has stayed the course using her analytical and political skills to read situations, identify the problems, and devise viable solutions.”