Matthews, North Carolina— After an extensive year-long global search, Carmel Christian School has hired Lori Deason to serve as Elementary Principal, effective July 2026.
With 15 years of experience teaching elementary students and four years in administration, Ms. Deason has a passion for partnering with elementary students, families, faculty, and staff to provide a Christian education. She has worked in public and private Christian schools in North Carolina and Georgia. She is currently serving in her fourth year as Assistant Principal at Fellowship Christian School, a covenant K-12 school in Roswell, Georgia.
Ms. Deason has been instrumental in a wealth of academic and school culture innovations at Fellowship Christian School, including launching the House System, implementing the Understanding by Design curriculum mapping, introducing a new reading curriculum, and school wide adoption of Conceptual Understanding as an instructional framework. “We look forward to seeing how the Lord continues to bless our elementary program under the leadership of Ms. Deason alongside our dedicated administrative and faculty team,” said Associate Head of School Dr. Chris Fryar.
Those who have worked with Ms. Deason describe her leadership style as deeply relational and grounded in the belief that investing in meaningful relationships is essential to cultivating a healthy and thriving school culture. Ms. Deason earned an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (Gordon College), an M.Ed. in Reading Education (UNC-Charlotte), and a B.A. in Elementary Education (UNC-Charlotte). Having lived in the Charlotte metro for 28 years before relocating to Georgia, she is excited to move closer to family and return to the city she calls home.
Ms. Deason shared,
“I am thrilled to join the Carmel Christian family as Elementary Principal. I believe that a child’s spiritual development is just as vital as their academic success. It is a privilege to bring my love for learning and children to a community that shares that vision and holds such a deep love for the Lord. I look forward to partnering with families, faculty, and staff to nurture both the hearts and minds of our students.”
