During its December 9, 2025, regular session meeting, the Johnston County Board of Education recognized the 2025-2026 Living Legends, including Mrs. Debra Avery, Mr. Keith Beamon, Mr. Haywood Watson, and Mrs. Vanessa Watson.
The Living Legend Award is presented to former Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) educators who were dedicated to the children they taught and left a legacy of influential teaching styles.
This is the 22nd year honoring the Living Legends of JCPS, and these honorees have positively transformed the educational landscape of Johnston County Public Schools and have demonstrated excellence in education.
31 years equals excellence in education
Mrs. Debra Avery exemplifies dedication throughout her distinguished career in education. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Meredith College and a master’s degree from Campbell University, and she holds National Board Certification in Adolescent and Young Adulthood Mathematics. Mrs. Avery taught grades 9–12 at Smithfield-Selma High for 31 years, from 1977 to 2008, teaching every mathematics course offered, from General Math through AP Calculus. She remained actively involved in both local and state educational organizations throughout her career.
Her commitment extends beyond the classroom into her church, civic, fraternal, and social organizations, all focused on strengthening the community. Her professional affiliations include Delta Kappa Gamma, the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), the National Education Association (NEA), the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Among her honors, she was named Teacher of the Month in 2008 by the Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce and was selected to attend the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching three times, including once as a facilitator.
Mrs. Avery is a member of First Baptist Church in Smithfield, North Carolina, where she volunteers with the church’s Clothes Closet Ministry.
Reflecting on her instructional approach, she shared: “Serving as a cooperating teacher for several North Carolina State University student teachers and as a mentor for many novice teachers, I worked to model the importance of creating a positive classroom environment where all students could be successful. Because students have different learning styles and varying levels of confidence in mathematics, it is essential for them to connect prior knowledge with future real-world applications.”
She added, “From the moment I stepped into the North Johnston High School classroom of Mrs. Celia McRae, I knew I wanted to be a math teacher like her: organized, direct, and genuinely caring for students both inside and outside the classroom. When my daughter, Paige, told me she was transferring from South Johnston to teach at Smithfield-Selma High, where I worked, I was grateful to Mr. Jake Jacobs for giving us the opportunity to be colleagues. I enjoyed the best two years of my career working alongside my daughter.”
Educational leadership in action
Mr. Keith Beamon graduated as valedictorian of his class from Goldsboro High School. He went on to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He is married to Cynthia Beamon and is the father of Holly Narron and Matthew Beamon.
His professional career includes service as an education consultant, adjunct instructor at Appalachian State University, associate superintendent for instruction, and assistant superintendent for accountability and technology for Johnston County Public Schools.
Mr. Beamon’s professional affiliations have included leadership positions such as past regional director of the North Carolina Science Teachers Association and past vice president and president of the North Carolina Science Leadership Association. He has also been active in the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the North Carolina American Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa, and the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Fair Foundation.
His community involvement includes service as a past board member and chair of the Smithfield State Employees’ Credit Union. He has also been engaged with the Smithfield Chamber of Commerce, Johnston County Youth Services, and the Boys and Girls Club.
Mr. Beamon’s honors include the NSTA Exemplary Science Program Award; Teacher of the Year at Princeton High School; Teacher of the Year Finalist for Johnston County Public Schools; Administrator of the Year for Johnston County Public Schools; and Administrator of the Year for Region 3. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
He offers this perspective on teaching: “Effective teachers nurture the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally. Effective teachers do this by setting clear but appropriately challenging expectations in all three areas, regularly monitoring student progress in meeting those expectations, and adjusting instruction both during and, when appropriate, after the conclusion of instructional time.”
Meeting students where they are
Mr. Haywood Anthony Watson attended three elementary schools and graduated from North Johnston High School in 1969. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Atlantic Christian College, followed by a master’s degree, principal’s certification, and an educational specialist degree from East Carolina University.
Mr. Watson began his career teaching 8th-grade social studies at Smithfield Junior High. He later served as assistant principal at Smithfield Elementary and North Johnston Middle, and subsequently as principal of Corinth-Holders Elementary. He dedicated 32 years of service to Johnston County Public Schools.
He is an active member of Mincey Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, where he has served in numerous roles, including Sunday School superintendent, Adult Sunday School teacher, deacon, trustee, Senior Choir member, Male Chorus member, and financial secretary.
Beyond his work in education, Mr. Watson has demonstrated significant community involvement. He has served on the Johnston Community College Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors of Neuse Little Theater, the Johnston County Arts Council Board of Directors, and as treasurer for Neuse Little Theater. He is also a member of the Heritage Center.
Mr. Watson has been widely recognized for his contributions and talents. His honors include Assistant Principal of the Year, an Appreciation Award for leadership and service to his church and community, and recognition from Mincey Chapel Bible Church School. He also received the Neuse Little Theater Cannon Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Showboat. Additionally, he was inducted into Torchbearers, the 50-Year Legacy Society at Barton College.
Reflecting on effective teaching, Mr. Watson shared: “My philosophy of effective teachers for effective learning, and one that is valuable for new teachers, is that educators should meet students where they are academically and teach them to the best of their abilities. By doing so, they help students learn all they can and equip them to navigate the challenges of a technical age as they grow into productive citizens."
Retired but not done teaching
Mrs. Vanessa Watson is the wife of Mr. Haywood Watson, who is also being recognized as a Living Legend. They are the proud parents of two children, H. Michael and Vanessa Monique. A graduate of Fike High School in Wilson, North Carolina, Mrs. Watson went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Library Science from East Carolina University. She served Johnston County Public Schools with distinction for 34 years as a media coordinator.
Her professional experience includes service as media coordinator at Smithfield Elementary School, where she also held leadership roles as PTA president and, previously, PTA secretary at West Smithfield Elementary School. She later continued supporting schools as a long-term substitute at East Smithfield Elementary and Micro Elementary. Additionally, she contributed two decades of service on the Johnston County Public Schools Calendar Committee. Her professional affiliations included memberships in NCAE and JCAE.
Mrs. Watson is a founding member of Tabernacle of Prayer in Wilson, North Carolina. There, she has served in numerous roles, including Sunday School teacher, Bible study teacher, secretary, missionary, choir member, and trustee. She is also a member of the Heritage Center. Her recognitions include the JCPS Leading the Heart Award and nominations for JCPS Media Coordinator of the Year in 2015 and 2016.
She offers this guiding thought for educators: “Treat each student as you would want your daughter, son, niece, nephew, or cousin treated.”
Reflecting on her return to education, Mrs. Watson shared, “After six months of retirement, I happily returned to JCPS as a long-term substitute. This is a role I have truly enjoyed. Between West Smithfield Elementary and Micro Elementary, I have served in the following areas: media, music, exceptional children, as well as first, third, and fourth grades.”
Johnston County Public Schools has a rich legacy of legendary educators. These four individuals will have their photos displayed and names added to the long list of award recipients hanging inside the Living Legends Room of the Evander S. Simpson Building, located at 2320 US 70 Business Highway East in Smithfield.