About Dr. Croffut

Dr. Croffut started her professional career as an elementary teacher and Reading Recovery teacher. She and her family moved to Union County in 2003 where she served as an assistant principal at Union Elementary. Since 2003, she has served as the principal of Union Elementary, Sandy Ridge Elementary, and most recently as the Director of Elementary Education. She is excited to be back in the Forest Hills cluster to now serve as the principal of East Union Middle School.

Dr. Croffut received her bachelor’s degree from Lee University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama. In 2016, she received her Doctorate in Education from Wingate University.

Dr. Croffut resides in Union County. She and her husband have three children, two of which are also educators in Union County Public Schools.

Contact Dr. Croffut

• Phone: 704-290-1540
• Email: cindy.croffut@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Mrs. Blakney

Mrs. Blakney was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She attended Coker College in South Carolina where she graduated with a BS in Physical Education/Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology. She then moved to Alabama and completed a Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine at the United States Sports Academy before returning to the Carolinas to pursue her teaching career. After several years teaching Physical Education/Health and coaching softball Mrs. Blakney pursued a second Master’s Degree in Education Administration and Supervision at the University of Phoenix.

Mrs. Blakney has been in Union County for the past 10 years. She served as a teacher at Forest Hills High School for 3 years and has been an Assistant Principal for the past 7 years. Mrs. Blakney is looking forward to working at East Union Middle School as she continues to serve the local community.

Mrs. Blakney lives in Wesley Chapel, NC with her husband Felix, son Taylor (13), daughter Ciara (11), and their dog Max. She loves spending time with family usually on a ballfield or in a gym, crafting, traveling, and visiting family back in Texas.

Contact Mrs. Blakney

• Email: kelly.blakney@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Mrs. McDowell

Christina McDowell is happy to be the seventh-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 East Union Eagle.

Contact Mrs. McDowell

• Phone: 704-290-1540
• Email: christina.mcdowell@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Mr. Topper

Mr. Greg Topper is the sixth-grade Assistant Principal at East Union Middle School. Before coming to UCPS, Mr. Topper was an Assistant Principal at Lamar High School in the Houston Independent School District. In his role, he coached and mentored teachers as well as working with all stakeholders in implementing “The Learning through Inquiry Educational Model.” He was a part of an International Baccalaureate school with the goal of preparing students to be global learners with a 21st-century skill set.

Mr. Topper also served as an Assistant Principal at Eastern Guilford Middle School in Gibsonville, North Carolina, and has been both a teacher and a coach at the high school level.  He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University, and his leadership endorsement from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Mr. Topper lives in Monroe with his wife Jennifer, who also works for UCPS, his son Alec, and his mother Christa. He also has a son, Jerry, who earned his Bachelor’s degree at Greensboro College and lives in Orlando, where he works for Nike.  Mr. Topper’s two daughters are both currently in college; Stephanie attends the International Fashion Academy in Paris, France, and Samantha attends Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia.

Contact Mr. Topper

• Phone: 704-290-1540
• Email: gregory.topper@ucps.k12.nc.us

Contact Ms. Veras

Mrs. Veras is excited to be joining the East Union Eagles as the 6th grade Assistant Principal. As a Union County graduate, she has always wanted to give back to her home community. Mrs. Veras holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel HIll.  She has served in Union County Public Schools as a teacher and MTSS Coordinator at East Elementary since 2008. Her role as MTSS Coordinator led her to value how school-based changes create positive growth for both students and educators. Mrs. Veras earned her Master's in School Administration from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 

Mrs. Veras currently lives in Union County with her husband, Gustavo, and daughter, Camille. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors and spending quality time with her family.

• Email: lauren.veras@ucps.k12.nc.us