Administration
DIANE CHILDRESS
PRINCIPAL
As I enter my 6th year as principal, I’m thrilled to continue to work alongside a dedicated staff who are committed to building relationships, creating a positive and safe learning environment and teaching the whole child. We are committed to providing high standards and expectations for each student through analyzing data and designing activities that help grow our students and prepare them to be successful after high school.
My family and I live in Nags Head, where we’ve been for twenty-six years. Originally from Evanston, Illinois, I attended college at The College of Wooster, graduating with a degree in Psychology and Education. I received my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction in 1997, my National Boards in 2000 (renewed in 2010 and 2020) and my Masters of School Administration in 2013 from ECU. I taught elementary school for 24 years before moving into school leadership in 2016.
I am always available to hear new ideas and perspectives. Please feel free to contact me at any time if I can be of assistance. Go Seahawks! #teachleadinspire #leaderinme
MATT MCGOUGH
DEAN OF STUDENTS
I am a native of Eastern North Carolina and grew up in Pasquotank County. I am excited to be the Dean of Students at First Flight Middle School, and to be able to work beside such a great staff and interact with our amazing students. As the Dean of Students, I look forward to building lasting positive relationships and making a difference in the lives of every student with whom I have contact.
I reside in Currituck County with my two beautiful daughters, who are my world. I graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, and am currently completing my Master’s in School Administration at ECU. Prior to arriving at First Flight Middle, I served as a Child Protective Service worker and District Social Worker with Dare County Schools. The skills I have learned and the challenges I have overcome provide me with the solid foundation I need to make a difference here at FFMS.
The future is bright at FFMS and I look forward to continuing to be a part of it!
Please feel free to contact me with any issues or questions.
KASSIE MOUNT
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Having grown up in Dare County, I am deeply honored by the opportunity to invest in our community by serving the students, parents, and teachers of First Flight Middle School as an Assistant Principal!
This year marks my fifteenth year in education, twelve of which were devoted to teaching English Language Arts in the high school classroom. After graduating from Southeastern University with a B.S. in Secondary English Education, I began my teaching career at Ridge Community High School in Davenport, Florida. In 2011, my husband and I moved back home to Dare County to raise our family and work with the young people of this community as educators.
From 2011-2021, I had the rewarding experience of teaching at Manteo High School, where I served as Learning Leader of the English Department, Junior Class Sponsor, teacher mentor, and SIT Chair. In 2021, I earned a M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from Liberty University. Now, as an administrator at First Flight Middle School, I am looking forward to working with the Seahawk team to help our students discover the joy of learning and grow into world-changing leaders!
My husband Joel is an English teacher at First Flight High School. We have two young children and are thrilled to be a part of the First Flight family!