Administration

Melvin Diggs
Superintendent, Governor Morehead School

Melvin Diggs has a vast knowledge of teaching and administrative experience with students with disabilities, including visual and hearing impairments. His past experiences include Exceptional (EC) Children’s Teacher, Behavior Coach, Literacy Consultant, EC Programs Specialist, Assistant Principal, Senior Administrator for EC Policy, Statewide Policy Consultant with NCDPI, EC & AIG Executive Director. Mr. Diggs received a Bachelor of Arts from Elon University, Master of Education (Special Education) from North Carolina Central University, and School Administration Certification from UNC-Greensboro.

Daniel Simmons

Principal, Governor Morehead School

Mr. Daniel Simmons is an educational leader with a specialization in visual impairment. He has 20 years of experience in education, and has served as a social studies teacher, teacher of students with visual impairments, and orientation and mobility specialist. Mr. Simmons comes to The Governor Morehead School for the Blind having recently served as the Lead Teacher for Visual Impairment at Wake County Public School System, where he supervised a team of 18 visual impairment professionals. During his tenure, he consulted with administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals to advance educational practices for students with visual impairments.

Mr. Simmons holds a Master of Arts in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University, a Master of Education in Visual Impairment Special Education from North Carolina Central University, and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Wright State University. He is a licensed School Administrator and Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, and a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. Mr. Simmons has served as Chapter President for the NC Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, demonstrating his strong commitment to advancing educational and rehabilitation opportunities for individuals with visual impairments.

Having previously taught student at GMS from 2007-2014, Mr. Simmons is enthusiastic about returning to GMS to serve alongside staff to meet the academic and functional needs of students, while supporting students’ families and communities. He believes that each student is provided equal opportunities to learn and grow: every student, every day.

In his personal time, Mr. Simmons enjoys the quiet of rural life with his wife and three daughters. He likes to hike, read, and play instruments.

Dr. Sarah McManus
Digital Learning and CTE Director for the NC Schools for the Deaf and Blind

Dr. Sarah McManus provides leadership to the Governor Morehead School as well as the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf and North Carolina School for the Deaf in the areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional development, and technology to support learning in the digital age. Her past positions have been Director of Instructional Content, Director of Learning Systems, Section Chief of Testing Policy and Operations, and Testing Consultant at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. She has taught at North Carolina State University, Wake Technical Community College, and in Wake and Guilford county high schools. Dr. McManus is a three time graduate of North Carolina State University where she earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Mathematics Education with a Concentration in Statistics, Masters of Science in Mathematics Education with a Concentration in Mathematics, and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a Concentration in Computer Science.

Stephanie Ray
Human Resource Manager

Stephanie Ray is the HR Manager at the Governor Morehead School. She has over 20 years of HR experience spanning from the private sector, nonprofit, local, and state government as well as executive level administrative experience. Stephanie is responsible for setting the human resources direction and leadership for the Governor Morehead school and is the point of contact for staff and management related to human resources. She joined the State of North Carolina as an Office Assistant, HR liaison, Retirement Counselor, HR Technician and HR Manager
serving in these state positions for 12 years. Prior to joining the State of North Carolina, she was employed with the private sector, nonprofit, and local government for 13 years as an office manager and HR generalist. Stephanie was born in Wilson, NC. She’s a proud mother of one child (daughter) and resides in Raleigh.

Jocelyn Crumble

Student Life Director

With over twenty years of experience working with young adults with disabilities, Jocelyn Crumble brings a profound depth of expertise and compassion to the field of education. Transitioning from special education to early childhood development, Jocelyn has dedicated her career to nurturing the potential in every child. She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, emphasizing her commitment to foundational learning and development. Jocelyn has also served as a Compliance Auditor at the Johnston-Lee-Harnet Community Action Head Start program, where she ensured that educational services met rigorous standards and truly benefited the communities they served. Her role required meticulous attention to detail and a steadfast commitment to regulatory excellence, ensuring that program operations supported both educational integrity and accessible learning.

Katrina Harrell

Business and Finance Director

With over 25 years of experience in managerial accounting, social entrepreneurship, strategic planning, and transformational leadership, Katrina is passionate about helping organizations and leaders operate efficiently and sustainably. She is a Certified Ambulance Finance Officer (CAFO) and a Professional Executive Coach with an emphasis in leadership and transformation. Katrina's career started as a Tax Accountant Intern for a global financial services company in New York and continued to build expertise in accounting, strategic management, leadership, and corporate financial management for for-profit, government, and nonprofit entities. Katrina also served for AmeriCorps as a VISTA for Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity. As the former Division Head and Operations Officer for Durham County Office of Emergency Services, she provided visionary and executive leadership to a team of 16, and financial and strategic oversight of over $20million budget in the logistical, financial, technological, human resource and administrative functions of the 200+ member department which served over 300,000 citizens. She has also made significant efforts in improving cost recovery, efficiency, staff engagement and was instrumental in advancing the compensation competitiveness of emergency medical personnel, making the County a market leader in North Carolina.