About Mr. Beals

Kevin Beals was named Principal of Weddington High School in July 2025. Prior to Weddington High, Beals was principal of Central Academy of Technology & Arts since June 2022. 

Mr. Kevin Beals was raised in southern New Hampshire until he moved to North Carolina in 2006. Mr. Beals earned his Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of New Hampshire, and his Master’s Degree in Teaching Mathematics from Rivier College.  He has been an educator since 1992.  He worked for 11 years in education in NH, including five years with Special Education students, and for six years as a middle school teacher. In 2006, Mr. Beals and his family moved to Union County where he resumed his teaching career at Sun Valley Middle School.  After earning his license for School Administration, he transitioned to the role of Assistant Principal at SVMS in 2011. Then, in 2015, Union County Public Schools granted Mr. Beals a transfer to Sardis Elementary as an Assistant Principal.  After serving at Sardis for nearly three years, Mr. Beals was named Interim Principal to close out the 2017-2018 school year. Shortly thereafter, he was given the incredible opportunity to lead Sardis as Principal. In 2022, Mr. Beals was named the principal at Central Academy of Technology & Arts. 

Mr. Beals has been married to his wife, Randi, since 2003, and together they have 3 children that attend or have attended school in UCPS. Mr. Beals enjoys coaching baseball and basketball and can often be found on the field or court when not at school. Mr. Beals is honored to work with the faculty, students, parents, and all stakeholders of this great school community.

Contact Mr. Beals

• Email: kevin.beals@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Mrs. Menkin

Marni Menkin graduated from the University of South Florida with her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. While in south Florida, she became ESOL certified (working with students whose native language is not English). She earned National Board Certification in 2002 and renewed in 2012. Mrs. Menkin collaborated with a team of National Board Certified teachers to develop and implement a workshop for the school system, Using Literacy to Teach Across the Content Areas. She had the opportunity to have a variety of experiences from teaching in a Title I school to serving at a science and technology magnet school before moving to North Carolina with her family in 2006.

Mrs. Menkin continued her career at Marvin Elementary where she won numerous classroom grants, began a multi-age education program, served as a county trainer for technology, science, and literacy, was named teacher of the year, and went on to become a top 10 finalist in UCPS. Mrs. Menkin earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University in December of 2014.

In the Summer of 2015, she was named as an assistant principal at Marvin Ridge Middle School and served there for three years. Mrs. Menkin completed the Future Ready Leadership Program at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Mrs. Menkin joined the Weddington High School team in June of 2018 and is excited to help carry on the tradition of excellence and high standards that have been established at such a remarkable school.

In her spare time, Mrs. Menkin loves being with her family and taking trips to the beach. Mrs. Menkin is married to Jay Menkin, and they have two children, Josh and Kylie.

Contact Mrs. Menkin

• Phone: 704-296-6319, ext. 1982
• Email: marni.menkin@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Dr. Newnam

Prior to being assistant principal of Weddington High, Dr. Newnam was assistant principal at Central Academy of Technology & Arts and Porter Ridge High School since August 2018. She was an assistant principal in the county for six years at an elementary school. Dr. Newnam earned a B.F.A. from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a Masters of School Administration from Queens University of Charlotte, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 

Dr. Newnam has three kids and two dogs. Her oldest two children are graduates of Appalachian State University and her youngest child is a senior at Appalachian State University.

Dr. Newnam has worked in education since 1994. During her tenure teaching, Dr. Newnam worked at the District level designing rubrics, performance assessments, and creating curriculum guides.  She also worked at the state level reviewing performance assessments.

Contact Dr. Newnam

• Email: michelle.newnam@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Mr. Grexa

Mr. Grexa graduated from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education. Upon graduating from college, Mr. Grexa taught 8th Grade Social Studies at Blue Mountain Middle School in Montrose, New York.  While teaching in New York, Mr. Grexa received his Masters in Instructional Technology from New York Institute of Technology. After moving to Union County in 2004, Mr. Grexa first taught 7th grade Social Studies at James Martin Middle School in Charlotte. He then moved to Forest Hills High School where he taught US and World History. In the spring of 2007, Mr. Grexa was appointed assistant principal at Sun Valley Middle School, where he remained until his current reassignment to Weddington High School. During his tenure at Sun Valley Middle School, Mr. Grexa attended Wingate University and completed his add-on licensure in School Administration.

Throughout his career, Mr. Grexa has combined classroom instruction with extra-curricular activities. He has coached football, lacrosse, volleyball, basketball, and wrestling at both the middle school and high school levels. He has also acted as Student Council advisor at Blue Mountain Middle School and Forest Hills High School.

 Mr. Grexa resides in Wesley Chapel with his wife Donna, a school counselor at Sun Valley High School and his two daughters, Jackie and Dani, who are Weddington High School alumni. In his spare time, Mr. Grexa enjoys spending time with family, playing golf, kayaking, working around the house, tinkering with cars, and reading a good book.

Mr.Grexa is honored to be selected to continue his career in Union County, particularly at Weddington High School. More importantly, he is excited to work with the students, staff and parents of Weddington High School in order to continue its tradition of excellence and leadership in Union County and across the state of North Carolina.

Contact Mr. Grexa

• Phone: 704-296-6319, ext. 1993
• Email: john.grexa@ucps.k12.nc.us

• Dr. Bashawn Harris

• Principal: Kevin Beals
• Representative: Michael Schnee