Principal

Phone: 919-989-6039

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mrs. Tamara Poland

Welcome to Polenta Elementary School home of the PUMAS.  For those of you visiting our website for the first time, please allow me to personally welcome you and introduce myself.  My name is Tami Poland and I am proud to call myself a Polenta PUMA. I am from the small town of Pikeville where I attended Wayne County Public Schools.  My family has lived in the Clayton area since 1999.   All three of our children have attended Johnston County Public schools with two of them being graduates of Corinth Holders High School.  I have a daughter that attends App State in Boone, NC and another that attends UNC- CH.  My son currently attends Corinth Holders High School. In our spare time, we like to watch movies and play games together. 
 
I received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from UNC-Wilmington as a NC Teaching Fellow recipient.  I taught in Wake County for 3 years before coming to JCPS in 2000.  I have taught Kindergarten, third grade, fifth grade, and sixth grades and loved every minute of it. I began my administrative career in JCPS in 2016 at Cooper Academy where I served for four years as assistant principal.  Afterwards, I served as the assistant principal at Meadow School.  I am honored to be chosen to serve as Polenta's Principal.  
 
Polenta staff are innovative, creative, and constantly searching for ways to meet the needs of all learners.  We are passionate about helping every child succeed.  I am passionate about supporting students, staff, parents, and our community.  Welcome to an incredible place for your child to learn here at Polenta Elementary School.  

Assistant Principal

Phone: 919-989-6039

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mrs. Jennifer McClure

Info Coming Soon!

Assistant Principal

Phone: 919-989-6039

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mrs. Candace Westbrook

My name is Candace Westbrook and it is an honor and privilege to serve as one of the assistant principals here at Polenta.  I am a Johnston County native and have lived here all my life.  After graduating from Smithfield-Selma High School, I attended the University of Mount Olive.  I began my teaching career in Wayne County as an Elementary music teacher and later in Johnston County at Riverwood Middle School.  Over the past twenty two years, I have had the opportunity to learn and serve in a variety of places, including Duplin and Johnston Counties serving as a school administrator.  

My husband Scott and I have been married for 26 years and we have two wonderful sons. In our free time, our boys keep us very busy spending time with them since both of them play year-round sports.  On any given weekend during the fall, you will find our family at all ECU home football games, GO PIRATES!

As a leader, I  believe in bringing all stakeholders together to share leadership by involvement with the school environment.  I look forward to building relationships with students, parents, staff and community members throughout the school year. As Tom Peters once stated, “Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.”   It is my belief that every person can be a teacher, every place a classroom, every experience is a lesson and every child a promise.