Meet the Administrators

Hello Wilkesboro families! My name is Beckie Spears, and I am excited to share another school year with you. Wilkesboro Elementary has been part of my life forever -- first as a student, then as a teacher, as a parent, and now as a principal. It is an honor and privilege to work with your family and this community, and I am proud of our school's long tradition of excellence. I am a graduate of Meredith College (BA in English) and Appalachian State University (Masters in School Administration), and I am a National Board Certified Teacher. I have spent the past 26+ years teaching, learning, and collaborating as a classroom teacher, an AIG resource teacher, an instructional specialist, and an assistant principal. I live in Wilkesboro with my husband and our two daughters.

I enjoy working with students and their families to make each year the best school year ever. We want our school to be a positive, nurturing learning community where students and teachers are inspired to learn, supported to grow, and empowered to achieve. We believe in a whole-child approach, and it is our goal to make each school day enjoyable and rewarding. Learning is our passion, and when we combine joy and teamwork with focused effort, we can achieve amazing possibilities.

We appreciate the opportunity to be part of your family's life, and we thank you in advance for your support, encouragement, involvement, and patience this year. I am here to support you, so please call me at 336-838-4261 if I can assist you or your child in any way.

Hello, my name is Brent Poplin, and I am from Elkin, North Carolina. I graduated from East Wilkes High School in 2006 and completed the NC Principal Fellows program through Appalachian State University in 2024. I have worked in middle schools and high schools throughout my teaching career, but have found my passion for elementary schools through my administration experiences. My wife is the EC teacher at East Wilkes Middle School, so our family runs deep in education. We have three kids; one son and two daughters. When I am not at WES, you can find my family and I in church, on a sports field, or traveling the roads on a random road trip! I am entering into my 16th year in education and look forward to spending it with you all at Wilkesboro Elementary!