About Us

Dear Walnut Creek Elementary School Staff and Community,

It is both an honor and a privilege to join the Walnut Creek Elementary family as your new principal. I am excited to lead this incredible school, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Interim Principals, Diann Kearney and Carla Jernigan Baker, and Assistant Principal, Curtis Cotton, for their dedication and steady guidance over the past several months. Their leadership, alongside the support of the staff and families, has ensured continuity and stability during this period of transition.

In the weeks ahead, I look forward to connecting with staff, families, and community members to learn more about the goals, values, and traditions that make Walnut Creek special. Your insights and perspectives will be invaluable as we work together to define and achieve our shared vision for the school.

As we embark on this journey together, I am committed to honoring Walnut Creek’s legacy by maintaining a culture of high expectations for students, staff, and families, with a clear focus on continuous academic improvement. As a visible and engaged leader, I will actively participate in the life of our school and community, fostering a strong, positive culture among staff while providing the support they need to thrive. Through strategic and organized communication, I will ensure that Walnut Creek’s positive image continues to shine, both within our school and throughout the broader community. Together, we will create an environment where every student’s potential is realized, and every member of our school community feels empowered to succeed.

The decision to join Walnut Creek feels like a homecoming in every sense. This community helped shape the person I am today, and I am committed to giving back by pouring my energy, passion, and experience into this role. I am inspired by the determination and resilience that define our students, families, and staff, and I am eager to build upon the strong foundation already in place here.

To share a little about myself, I was born and raised in Southeast Raleigh, where I attended Poe Elementary, Daniels Middle School, and Broughton High School. After earning my undergraduate and first master’s degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill, I completed my MBA at ECU and my MSA at UNC Greensboro—all while continuing my work as an educator. Over the past 25 years, I’ve served as a math teacher both in Wake and Durham counties, a K-12 instructional coach, a school improvement coach, and an education consultant in AL, NC, NM, SC, MS, and NY. I also served as an Assistant Principal at Middle Creek High School and was part of the team that opened Willow Spring High School in 2021. I believe these experiences have shaped my vision for education and prepared me to lead Walnut Creek.

Thank you for welcoming me to #theCreek. I am excited to get started and look forward to meeting and working alongside each of you as we strive to make a lasting impact on our students' lives.

With gratitude and determination,

Lessie Anderson