Johnston County Public Schools

Benson Elementary Principal Dr. Takicey Dunston is a force powered by a laser focus on creating the best learning environment for every student. With that focus and buy-in from her students, staff, and parents, the Broncos have galloped their way to historic academic success.

Throughout her 30+ years of experience in public and private education, Dr. Dunston’s overarching strategy has always been to meet students where they are, discover their strengths, and teach them useful techniques to utilize those strengths to improve in other areas of learning.

Guided by that principle, Dr. Dunston’s career with Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) began at Cleveland Middle, where she taught for 10 years in various special education capacities, including self-contained, resource, and inclusion settings.

Dr. Dunston’s passion for pursuing a career in special education began in high school. A classmate gave birth to a child with cerebral palsy, and Dr. Dunston spent a lot of time with the mother and her baby. That’s when the spark for helping others became a full-blown fire inside her heart and mind. “I found myself wanting to be a voice for those students with special needs, and to make sure that those who might be excluded were included,” she said.

Driven by that mission, she went on to earn an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Wilson Technical Community College, followed by an undergraduate degree in Special Education from Shaw University. In 2000, Dr. Dunston completed her graduate studies at North Carolina Central University, earning a master’s degree in special education with a concentration in behaviorally and emotionally disabled students.

In 2011, she returned to North Carolina Central University and completed a second master’s degree in school administration, spreading her mission school-wide. “Each day when I walk into Benson Elementary, what inspires me is knowing that I have students, staff, and parents counting on me to make this the best place for learning, the best place to work, and the best place for parents to send their students while they are at work,” Dr. Dunston said.

Even though the name of the Principal of the Year Award says Dr. Takicey Dunston, she is quick to share Benson Elementary’s successes with the entire school community. Through strong collaboration between administrators, staff, and families, everyone has rolled up their sleeves and implemented strategies for continued student success in the 2025-2026 school year.

Those strategies include creating school-wide, teacher, and student goals that coincide with district-wide goals, and providing support based on progress monitoring and analysis. Dr. Dunston and her team created small groups to target the skill gaps where students demonstrated deficiencies. Additionally, students who excelled in certain areas had the opportunity to work collaboratively within small groups to help fill the learning gaps.

Dr. Dunston and her team have also implemented wrap-around support initiatives, which are intentionally focused on bridging the gap between school and home for students. Benson Elementary is hosting grade-specific parent nights to inform families on student expectations and how they can prepare and assist their children throughout the school year. “We are here to make a positive difference in the lives of our students,” Dr. Dunston remarked.

As a leader, Dr. Dunston’s ability to build relationships and gain the students’ trust is abundantly evident wherever she is on the school’s campus. The students can hardly wait to give her hugs or high fives. Building trust takes time, and Dr. Dunston ensures she always has time for the children who need some extra attention.

She shared a memorable story about a kindergartener who was experiencing severe separation anxiety. The young student struggled to get out of the car each morning, fearful of leaving her mother. Dr. Dunston could relate because she, too, had experienced separation anxiety as an elementary school student.

With a lot of understanding and patience, Dr. Dunston was able to gain the student’s trust by allowing her to stay in Dr. Dunston’s office, sitting on her lap until she felt ready to go to class. Today, that student is a thriving third-grader, and they sometimes recall those mornings and reflect on how far she has come.

Dr. Dunston shows the same patience and understanding for her staff. She knows how important it is to set the tone during the highs and especially during the lows, and continually displays her belief in the students and teachers. When teachers feel they haven’t been successful, Dr. Dunston will take some freshly made popcorn and beverages around, delivering them with a smile and embrace. “That’s a small way of saying ‘You’ve got this’ and shows them that I am working right beside them and we are in this together,” she said.

The relationship with her staff is not limited to the professional realm, but it overflows into supporting one another in their personal lives. Dr. Dunston makes herself accessible to teachers and values them as individuals, understanding that they have lives outside of work and things occur unexpectedly. “The more support I give them, they give back to the school,” she said.

That support was reciprocated to Dr. Dunston in 2023 when she experienced a health crisis and had to take a step back. She continued to lead from afar, and her administrators and teachers strategically scheduled meetings around her doctor’s appointments. Once a month, they would have meetings at Dr. Dunston’s house to discuss data and strategies, but the staff would also come to visit and keep in touch, supporting Dr. Dunston in her health battles.

When Dr. Dunston isn’t leading the Broncos, she enjoys being with her husband, their two adult children, and her three grandchildren. “My family is always there to support me in whatever I do. It’s not just me, it’s a we,” she said.

She also prioritizes “me time” as a way to recharge and reflect. A self-proclaimed introvert, once she steps foot into her home, Dr. Dunston relaxes by watching crime shows, world news, and her beloved Carolina Panthers. Going shopping also relaxes her, but it isn’t about buying; it’s about looking, which is calming. Dr. Dunston is also a pastor and loves spending time with her church family, and attributes her servant leadership style to the role.

“In leadership, you can lose yourself because you are a servant to so many,” she remarked. “You have to make time and reflect on who you are and remember your purpose. Embrace what you’ve done and what you want to do.”

With Dr. Dunston at the reins, the Broncos family has shown no sign of slowing down, and the school’s ultimate goal is to be the first Title I school in Johnston County that is an “A” performing school. “We haven’t gotten there yet, but it’s coming,” she confidently said.

Dr. Dunston’s resolute focus on student and teacher success recently earned Benson Elementary the 2025 North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (NCASCD) Lighthouse School Award. The prestigious Lighthouse School Award is presented to one or more schools leading the way in North Carolina for excellence in student achievement and innovative programs. NCASCD receives nominations from across the state yearly and proudly recognizes only the most impressive schools with this award.

The continued success of Benson Elementary has propelled Dr. Dunston into the spotlight as she was named JCPS 2025-2026 Principal of the Year at the school district’s annual Leadership Conference. “For me personally, the award means that I have set the tone for students to come into Benson Elementary and feel that they have a home away from home,” she said. “It also allowed me to recognize that what I’m doing here is seen and a difference has been made in the environment.”