Administration
DIANE CHILDRESS
PRINCIPAL
As I enter my 4th 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-four 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! #thisisouryear #takeflight
ROBERT
TRIPP
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
I am so excited to be a part of the Seahawk family!
I grew up beside a strawberry farm in Virginia Beach, and prior to entering the education field was a Specialist in the U.S. Army Airborne, stationed at Ft. Bragg. I attended Liberty University, and am currently enrolled in a doctoral program. I have spent the last ten years as a middle school teacher and administrator, most recently at Blair Middle in Norfolk. I live in Chesapeake with my wife and daughter.
I enjoy what I do, and will continue to do it for years to come!
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 thirteenth 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!