About Dr. Harvey

Dr. Michael Harvey began his career as an administrator at Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts where he served three years as an Assistant Principal then he transitioned into the role of principal for six years.  In September 2011, he accepted the position as Principal of Monroe Middle School then in 2015 he welcomed the role as Principal at Monroe High School.  Since the 2018-2019 school year, he has served as the principal of Sun Valley High school. He has worked in the Monroe community for 22 years as an educator and administrator. He is passionate about working with the students, teachers and with the community of Monroe.

Dr. Harvey graduated with a B.S.E. in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland, a MA in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University, and his Ed. D from Wingate University in August of 2011. He has spoken at various conferences locally and across the state of North Carolina. In his tenure at Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts, he was able to accomplish some of the highest growth scores in the county. At Benton Heights, he raised the school's composite score 13 percent. At Monroe Middle, Dr. Harvey has improved the growth composite from -9 to a positive 10. In addition, in the two years that he was the Principal at Monroe High, the overall school grade rose from a D to a C.  Dr. Harvey believes that students should have exposure to enriching academic opportunities that engage and excite students. The three E's will lead students, teachers and the community to the fourth "E"-Excellence! 

Family: Wife Diann Harvey, married 19 years.  Son-Nicholas, 17 years old, 12th grade at Sun Valley High, Daughter – Olivia, 16 years old 11th Grade at Sun Valley High, William seven years old, second grade at Shiloh Valley Primary School.

Years in Education: 22 years

Philosophy of Education: Enrich, Engage, Excite, Excel

Education: BSE – SUNY Cortland, MSA – Winthrop University, Ed. D. – Wingate University

How do you build rapport with students? I build rapport by building trust through open and honest communication.  I also believe in following through with what you say you are going to do and validating students' thoughts and ideas, speaking with them about things beyond the school day, and showing up to their games, dance recitals and band competitions.

Work History: 22 years in UCPS, five years as a physical education teacher at Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts, three years as the assistant principal at Benton Heights, six years as principal of Benton Heights, four years as principal at Monroe Middle School, two years as Principal of Monroe High School, and since 2018, principal of Sun Valley High School.

Favorite Movie: Hoosiers

Favorite Restaurant: Hobbies/Interests: Harvey's Backyard Grill, Buffalo sports teams, Carolina Panthers, playing golf, traveling and spending quality time with family. Unknown fact: hat collection

Favorite Quotation: “If you don’t think every day is a great day…try missing one”

Most Recent Book:   In the Company of Heroes by Michael J. Durant

Contact Dr. Harvey

• Phone: 704-296-3020
• Email: michael.harvey@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Mr. Malone

Dareion Malone became an educator in 2013 after leaving a career in corporate America. Dareion has served as a chorus director at Hopewell High School in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, UNC Charlotte, and Marvin Ridge High School in Waxhaw. He was recognized as Teacher of the Year for Union County Public Schools for 2020-2021, and has been an assistant principal at Sun Valley since 2021.

Dareion, born in Byhalia, MS, has been singing and playing piano since early childhood. He received the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of School Administration from UNC Charlotte.  He also holds the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. 

Contact Mr. Malone

• Phone: 704-296-3020
• Email: dareion.malone@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Ms. Mayer

Debbie Mayer has been 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 19 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 26 years and has three children, all of which have attended and graduated from Union County Public Schools. Her two youngest children are college athletes in their senior and junior years. Her favorite hobbies are reading, traveling, watching her children’s sporting events, and spending time with family and friends.

Contact Mrs. Mayer

• Phone: 704-296-3020
• Email: debbie.mayer@ucps.k12.nc.us

Contact Ms. Leaks

• Email: lakeshia.leaks@ucps.k12.nc.us

• Principal: Dr. Mike Harvey
• Representative: Mary Lou Baker