Submitted by Johnston County Public Schools
JCPS 2025-2026 Principal of the Year award recipient Dr. Takicey Dunston is a force powered by a laser focus on creating the best learning environment for every student. With that focus and buy-in from her students, staff and parents at Benson Elementary, the Broncos have galloped their way to historic academic success.
Throughout her 30+ years of experience in public and private education, Dr. Dunston’s strategy has always been to meet students where they are, discover their strengths and teach them useful techniques to utilize them.
Guided by that principle, her career with Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) began at Cleveland Middle, where she taught for 10 years in various special education capacities.
Her passion for pursuing a career in special education began in high school. A classmate gave birth to a child with cerebral palsy, and Dr. Dunston spent a lot of time with the mother and her baby. That’s when the spark for helping others became a full-blown fire inside her heart and mind.
“I found myself wanting to be a voice for those students with special needs, and to make sure that those who might be excluded were included,” she said.
Driven by that mission, she went on to earn an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Wilson Technical Community College, followed by an undergraduate degree in Special Education from Shaw University. In 2000, Dr. Dunston completed her graduate studies at North Carolina Central University, earning a master’s degree in special education with a concentration in behaviorally and emotionally disabled students.
In 2011, she returned to North Carolina Central University and completed a second master’s degree in school administration.
“Each day when I walk into Benson Elementary, what inspires me is knowing that I have students, staff and parents counting on me to make this the best place for learning, the best place to work and the best place for parents to send their students while they are at work,” she said.
In 2024, Dr. Dunston took her education one step further, earning her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University.
Even though the Principal of the Year Award has her name on it, she is quick to share Benson Elementary’s successes with the entire school community.
“We are here to make a positive difference in the lives of our students,” Dr. Dunston said.
As a leader, Dr. Dunston’s ability to build relationships and gain the students’ trust is evident.
She shared a memorable story about a kindergartener who was experiencing severe separation anxiety. The young student struggled to get out of the car each morning, fearful of leaving her mother. Dr. Dunston could relate because she, too, had experienced separation anxiety as a child. With a lot of understanding and patience, Dr. Dunston was able to gain the student’s trust.
Today, that student is a thriving third-grader, and they sometimes recall those mornings and reflect on how far she has come.
Dr. Dunston shows the same patience and understanding for her staff.
She is known for encouraging teachers by taking freshly made popcorn and beverages around, delivering them with a smile and an embrace.
“That’s a small way of saying ‘You’ve got this’ and shows them that I am working right beside them and we are in this together,” she said.
When Dr. Dunston isn’t leading the Broncos, she enjoys being with her husband, their two adult children and her three grandchildren. She also prioritizes “me time” as a way to recharge and reflect.
Dr. Dunston is also a pastor and attributes her servant leadership style to that role.
“In leadership, you can lose yourself because you are a servant to so many,” she said. “You have to make time and reflect on who you are and remember your purpose. Embrace what you’ve done and what you want to do.”
With Dr. Dunston at the reins, the Broncos family has shown no sign of slowing down, and the school has set a goal to be the first “A” performing Title I school in Johnston County.
“We haven’t gotten there yet, but it’s coming,” she said.
