About Ms. Mayer

Debbie Mayer is starting her first year as principal of Porter Ridge Middle School. Ms. Mayer was an administrator at Sun Valley High School since January of 2021. She has been an educator for 19 years serving in many different roles, including teacher, instructional coach, and interim assistant principal. Mrs. Mayer has served Marvin Ridge Middle, Porter Ridge Middle, Sun Valley Middle, and Sun Valley High School in her 15 years with Union County Public Schools. She has taught in three states and has called Waxhaw, N.C. her home for the last 20 years. Mrs. Mayer received her bachelor's degree in elementary education with a middle school emphasis from Missouri State University. She earned her master's degree in educational leadership at Wingate University in 2022.

Mrs. Mayer has been married for 28 years and has three children, all of which have attended and graduated from Union County Public Schools. Her favorite hobbies are reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Contact Mrs. Mayer

• Email: debbie.mayer@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Ms. Hart

From 2013 to 2020, Ms. Hart worked as a 7th grade English/Language Arts teacher at Porter Ridge Middle. In 2020, she was hired as the Culture Coach for Parkwood Middle and High where she served the Parkwood community until February of 2023. Ms. Hart returned to Porter Ridge Middle as the 6th Grade Assistant Principal at the beginning of March 2023. She earned her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education/English from The College of New Jersey and is currently pursuing a Master’s in School Administration from the University of North Carolina Charlotte where she will graduate in May of 2025. She’s a passionate advocate for students and teachers, and she believes that every child can reach academic and social success when provided with the proper support.

Originally from New Jersey, Ms. Hart resides in Union County and in her spare time loves to read and travel.

Contact Ms. Hart

• Phone: 704-225-7555
• Email: corrine.hart@ucps.k12.nc.us

Contact Mr. Lebowitz

• Email: mitchell.lebowitz@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Mrs. McDowell

Christina McDowell is happy to be the 8th grade assistant principal. She served in the military from 2001–2013, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership. She went on to get a Master’s in Education and, as a military wife, has taught all over the country, teaching subjects such as; Health Science, Chemistry, and Math. She taught 8th grade math at East Union Middle School for four years, which led her to pursue a master’s degree in leadership at High Point University.

Mrs. McDowell currently lives in Union County with her husband, Thomas, who currently serves Forest Hills students, and her two sons, Thomas and Tamaury.

In her spare time, she loves to craft and watch Union County sports. She is excited and proud to be an Porter Ridge Pirate.

Contact Mrs. McDowell

• Phone: 704-225-7555
• Email: christina.mcdowell@ucps.k12.nc.us

• Dr. Bashawn Harris
• 704-296-0824, ext. 4031

• Principal: Mrs. Debbie Mayer
• Representative: Lisa Poulos