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Ms. Amanda Thigpen - Upper Academy Leader
Ms. Thigpen comes to NCS as a native of Eastern North Carolina. She grew up in Rocky Mount, NC, and graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High School. Amanda received her undergraduate degree in Special Education, with a concentration in Reading, from East Carolina University. Immediately after graduating, she began her teaching career in Pitt County at a small K-8 school in Bethel, NC. Even though she was a first-year teacher, she was appointed the Special Education liaison for the Bethel community to provide connections from the Central Office of Pitt County Schools back to the community.
After her time at Bethel, Amanda moved to Wake County to work as a Special Education teacher for 2 years. In 2013, Amanda decided to take a break from teaching to work for the Autism Society of NC, a local non-profit organization that specializes in home-based services and advocacy for families and individuals impacted by an Autism diagnosis. During her time at the Autism Society, she worked her way up to senior level management in the local Raleigh office. She strongly believes that ALL students deserve to have the supports in place in order for them to be successful.
In 2018, Amanda returned to the classroom in Johnston County Public Schools as a self-contained autism classroom teacher. During her time in Johnston County Public Schools, she worked as the department chair for the special education department. In 2019, Amanda transitioned to join the Cougar Nation as an inclusion teacher in high school.
After her time at Bethel, Amanda moved to Wake County to work as a Special Education teacher for 2 years. In 2013, Amanda decided to take a break from teaching to work for the Autism Society of NC, a local non-profit organization that specializes in home-based services and advocacy for families and individuals impacted by an Autism diagnosis. During her time at the Autism Society, she worked her way up to senior level management in the local Raleigh office. She strongly believes that ALL students deserve to have the supports in place in order for them to be successful.
In 2018, Amanda returned to the classroom in Johnston County Public Schools as a self-contained autism classroom teacher. During her time in Johnston County Public Schools, she worked as the department chair for the special education department. In 2019, Amanda transitioned to join the Cougar Nation as an inclusion teacher in high school.