Dear Endhaven Cougar families,

I am incredibly proud to serve as the principal here at Endhaven. I have been in CMS my entire 20 year career as an educator, attended CMS schools as an elementary and middle school student myself, and even did my student teaching in CMS. 

In 2001, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Management and Society from UNC-Chapel Hill. After a brief career in business as a project manager for a risk management consulting company in Raleigh, NC, I decided to follow a lifelong passion for teaching and working with children. This brought me back to Charlotte, where I earned a Master of Arts in Teaching at Queens University, and later completed Queens’ School Executive Leadership Academy (SELA) to earn my NC Principal licensure. I have served as a classroom teacher in 4th and 5th grades, an academic facilitator for K-5, an elementary assistant principal and currently as an elementary principal. My husband and I have a daughter who attends highschool in CMS, and I also have a step-daughter who recently graduated from college. We love spending time on Lake Wylie, where we live, with our family and friends. 

At Endhaven, we are committed to continuous improvement for our students and staff. We want to build partnerships and strong relationships with each of our families, and work collaboratively to create a nurturing, challenging, engaging and fun elementary school experience for our students. I believe that we must work together as a team to help our children grow and succeed.  Promoting character development, caring for our students’ social and emotional needs, instilling a love of learning and creating lifelong learners with a thirst for knowledge are priorities, which serve as the foundation on which our students will grow to their fullest potential, as college and career ready graduates. 

I wholeheartedly love my job, I love our school and I want to make Endhaven a place children want to come to every day. I strive to make the elementary school experience legendary at Endhaven. 

Thank you for choosing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and entrusting us with your children! 

“We are the future. We are possibilities. We are Endhaven!”

Heather Conn was named assistant principal at Endhaven Elementary in November 2020. Mrs. Conn was the Assistant Principal at Blythe Elementary from 2017-2020 and Bailey Middle School from 2012-2017. Prior to that, she was a 7th grade math teacher at Piedmont IB Middle School and South Charlotte Middle School. Mrs. Conn Graduated from Ohio University in 2004 with a degree in Mathematics and Middle Childhood Education Math/Science. She received her Master's degree in executive leadership from Gardner-Webb. Mrs. Conn is also a proud wife and mom to two great kids.  Alex is an athletic 9-year-old who also attends Endhaven Elementary and Emma is a spunky little 5-year-old who has just started Kindergarten here at Endhaven- watchout Cougars! Mrs. Conn enjoys spending her downtime with her family, hiking, and going to the gym. 

Carrie Alexander has been the Literacy Facilitator at Endhaven Elementary since January 2015.  She was a literacy facilitator at Long Creek Elementary from 2008-2014 and a teacher from 2000-2008 at Mountain Island Elementary and Park Road Elementary.  She has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Reading Education from St. Bonaventure University.

Joe Smith is the Dean of Students at Endhaven Elementary.  He has spent his entire 13 year career in education at Endhaven as a third and fifth grade teacher, and most recently as the science lab teacher.  Prior to teaching, Mr. Smith spent ten years working in the mutual fund accounting and administration industry in Boston and Charlotte.  Mr. Smith graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1996 with a degree in Accounting, earned a Masters degree in Teaching in 2011 and his Masters in Educational Leadership in 2018, both from Queens University of Charlotte.  Mr. Smith is married with two sons, Justin and Henry, who are away at the University of Denver and the University of St. Andrews.  In his spare time, Mr. Smith loves to play soccer, golf and go fishing.  He is very average at all three activities. 

Hello Endhaven! I am excited to serve as your Professional School Counselor! I have over 20 years in education, supporting students and families from kindergarten through senior year in high school. I am originally from St. Louis, Missouri but have lived in Charlotte for 15 years. I earned my degrees in Psychology (B.A.), Elementary Education (B.S.) and School Counseling (M.A.). I absolutely love the field of education and couldn’t imagine doing anything else!  When I’m not at school, I’m busy raising two wonderful boys who attend a K-8 school in CMS.  I also enjoy traveling to visit family and loved ones, serving at my church and helping families navigate the journey of new parenthood.       

I had the honor of joining the Endhaven school community in January 2023.  I have had the privilege of being a professional school counselor for over 20 years working with students from preK-8th. I have a passion for working alongside students and families to support students in growing socially, academically, and emotionally throughout their school career.  I am originally from Massachusetts but have called North Carolina home since 2005. I have a Masters in Education in counseling (M.Ed), am a  Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a National Certified Counselor(NCC). When I am not at school I love enjoying life by spending time with my husband, 4 children and 2 grandchildren.