Atkinson Welcomes Mark Page as New Principal

He’s only been an Atkinson Cougar for a few days, and already new principal Mark Page is making inroads with teachers and parents.

The former assistant principal at Rugby Middle said he’s spent the last 48 hours reaching out to teachers and introducing himself over the phone until he can meet them face-to-face at the beginning of the school year.

Page has also had the chance to talk with students’ parents, and he said he’s already very impressed by the strong community supporting Atkinson.

“I’ll definitely miss (Rugby’s) community, but I look forward to working at this great school,” Page said.

Filling the position left by former Atkinson principal Matthew Johnson, Page has a busy summer ahead.

“Right now I’m getting to know the staff, getting to know the schedule, looking at classroom sizes,” and looking at hiring staff, Page said.

An Asheville native, Page began his career in education in 2002 after earning his undergraduate degree in elementary education from Western Carolina University. In 2007, Page earned his graduate degree in elementary administration from The Citadel.

Page served as an elementary teacher at Meadowbrook Elementary in Haywood County for a year before moving to Charleston, S.C. and teaching science for four years at Fort Johnson Middle in the Charleston County School District. After four years at the middle school, Page and his family relocated to Henderson County and he started with Henderson County Public Schools as assistant principal and athletic director at Rugby Middle.

After eight years at Rugby, Page will be starting his ninth year with HCPS at Atkinson – and he’s very excited and grateful for the opportunity.

“I just want to build on the success of the school,” Page said.