Interim Principal

Dr. Curtis A. Carroll worked in public education for over 36 years and 28 of those years serving in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Before coming to CMS, Dr. Carroll obtained his Bachelors’ Degree in Political Science from Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Eastern Michigan University. His career as an educator began as a Social Studies teacher in Evanston, Illinois and Administrator in Flint Michigan.  A proud native of Flint, Michigan, Dr. Carroll relocated to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in 1993, working as an assistant principal at West Mecklenburg High and McClintock Middle.  In 1997, he transitioned to principal at McClintock, but his talents were needed at Harding University  High School. To add, Dr. Carroll’s passion for education led him to pursue Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte which he attained. From 1999-2006 Dr. Carroll served as the principal at Harding. Under his leadership, Harding was recognized by Newsweek Magazine as one of the 100 Best high schools in America 2004-2005 which highlighted the schools that provided rigorous academic opportunities for students. In addition, The Charlotte Post wrote an article, ”Urban Scholars more than live up to High Expectations” highlighting fourteen recipients of the prestigious National Achievement Scholarship Program, an academic scholarship for African American students in which eight seniors were from Harding. 

 In pursuit to serve in a different capacity, Dr. Carroll accepted a director’s position with Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida in 2006, but Dr. Carroll ultimately returned to CMS in 2007. Dr. Carroll’s re-entry as the Superintendent of the Achievement Zone major focus was to serve low-performing schools with high needs. This work was challenging yet rewarding as he directly served eleven schools while collaborating with the Parthenon Group, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Harvard to increase achievement. During his tenure, there was a significant increase in academic proficiency rates on state assessments. West Charlotte, West Mecklenburg, and Wilson Middle’s proficiency increased by 20 percent or greater. Emphatically, several schools under his leadership in the Achievement Zone met federal Adequate Yearly Progress targets.  

In 2010, the district returned the Achievement Zone schools to their geographic learning communities. Dr. Carroll returned to Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology as principal, leading the school to high academic growth and a 95 percent cohort graduation rate.  In 2014, Dr. Carroll was appointed as the West Learning Community Superintendent and promoted in 2017 to Associate Superintendent for High School Equity.  In October of 2018, Dr. Carroll requested to end his career in a school and became principal at Zebulon B. Vance High School. In Dr. Carroll’ short time at Vance where he tripled Advanced Placement enrollment, re-normed the Credit Recovery Process, revived the Student Executive Council, the 2019-2020 Varsity Football Team won the NCHSAA 4AA Championship, and January 27th – January 31st was proclaimed as Zebulon B. Vance by the county commissioner in recognition of Dr. Carroll’s Leadership as well as the winning the championship. Due to Dr. Carroll’s service and undying passion for education Zebulon B. Vance PSTA and School Leadership Team with approval from Superintendent Earnest Winston renamed the main entryway Carroll’s Way to serve as a reminder to instill hope to all that enter. Dr. Carroll officially retired February 28, 2020 but continues to mentor so many young leaders in CMS and beyond.  In January 2021, CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston asked Dr. Carroll to come back to CMS and serve as the intern Office of School Performance Chief. 

Currently, Dr. Carroll serves as an adjunct professor at UNC Charlotte teaching several graduate level courses. He is also an executive coach for UNC Charlotte.  Of all the accolades he has received, none can compare to being the proud father of two young adults. Dr. Brittany Carroll, pharmacist and Brent Carroll a 2020 graduate from the University of North Carolina Charlotte major Health Systems Management  and currently working in healthcare administration are the extensions of the undying love Dr. Carroll has for their late mother and wife, Dr. Tonya Carroll. Just as their mother, both children received full track scholarships to college running in the same path of excellence.

Treasurer I

Data Manager

Hello Merancas Family! My name is Savon Crews and I am delighted to serve as your new school counselor. This will be my 17th year in the counseling profession and my 7th year within the Early College Network.  I received my undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Human Development and Family Studies and my graduate degree from North Carolina A&T State University. I enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, and exercising.  I look forward to collaborating with parents, teachers, administrators, and community partners to prepare our students for success! 

I moved to North Carolina in 2007 to attend UNC Charlotte and never left! While at UNCC, I earned my bachelor’s degree in English in 2011 and a master’s degree in Education in 2013. After graduate school, I taught middle school English while I earned my National Board Certification in English/Language Arts for Young Adults. I then moved on to teach English at Merancas in 2017, where I’ve been ever since. In May 2022, I also earned a graduate certificate in teaching Academically and Intellectually Gifted Children.

In November 2023, I welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world with my husband. She has kept me on my toes since she was born. She’s playful, intelligent, and a true joy to be a mother to. After having her, I decided to transition out of the classroom into the Academic Facilitator role for the 2024-2025 school year. Regardless, I still serve as the advisor to the Merancas chapters of the National Student Council and the Black Student Union.

Whether in the classroom or behind the scenes, helping students learn and develop intellectually brings me immense joy and fulfillment.

I am from the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.  I moved to Charlotte to attend UNC Charlotte where I received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education (K-6), and a concentration in English.  I have my National Board Certification in Middle School Social Studies.  I am a mom to two awesome boys and enjoy the crazy adventures they bring.  I am an educator because it is a wonderful experience that challenges me with a new lesson each day. No day is the same as the one before, but each day will always start refreshed and full of new learning opportunities.

I have been a proud Pack member since 2019, serving as the Instructional Accountability Facilitator. At Merancas, I can support you with Technology, State testing, ACT & College Board testing accommodations, CPCC CTE course support, Career exploration, MYEP, and National Honor Society. My door is always open and I look forward to a great school year.

I'm Shellie Bryant. I started teaching in 2000-2001 as a Spanish teacher here in CMS at what was J.T. Williams IB Middle School. Then after some time at Olympic HS and Renaissance at Olympic, I moved home to my hometown of Knoxville, TN and taught for 4 years there. I came back to CMS (Renaissance at Olympic again)- this time as an ENGLISH teacher. I've been teaching English since then in CMS and UCPS. I am so excited to be back in a small school setting and to be at the BEST small school, Merancas. 

 

I am a mom, my kids are 6^th and 10^th graders. We spend a lot of time at Volleyball and Dance. I quilt, knit, and read in my spare time. My favorites are mysteries, sci-fi/fantasy, and non-fiction. I love a good podcast too. 

 

Here at Merancas I teach 11^th grade Honors English, AP Lang, and Yearbook! Be on the look out for picture requests and see yourself in the yearbook! 

Born in Buffalo, New York and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. I earned a B.A in English from Winthrop College and went on to serve my country as a United States Marine. There I earned a M.A. in Human Relations and became a decorated veteran.  While stationed in Okinawa, Japan, I answered to call to become a missionary and a teacher. In 2011, I earned an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership at Liberty University.   Loving service to my God, my country and my community has been the capstone of my life.  I hope to continue to use the gifts effectively to help strengthen student academic and character development.