Administration

Mrs. Crystal Epps

Principal

Mrs. Epps became principal at MSES in 2014, after serving as assistant principal at Frank Porter Graham Elementary School and Rashkis Elementary School. During her time as principal, she has led MSES with a sharp focus on culturally proficient instruction and restorative practices in the classrooms.

Mrs. Epps also emphasizes strong professional development and encourages innovative pedagogy among school staff. Mrs. Epps advocated for the first ever Teachers of Color group, and was a district recipient of the Minority Student Achievement Award. She also serves as a principal mentor to newly hired principals.

Mrs. Epps began her career in education over 20 years ago as an elementary grades teacher in the Bronx, N.Y., after earning a B.S. at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an M.A. in Elementary Education from Mercy College. Moving to North Carolina in 2003, she took teaching positions in Burlington and Efland before accepting her first CHCCS classroom at Ephesus Elementary School. She left Ephesus to join the planning team that helped open Morris Grove Elementary. She was named 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year at Morris Grove Elementary School.

Mrs. Epps completed her M.S.A. in the Administration and Supervision at North Carolina Central University in 2010.

Phone: (919) 918-7165 x39100

Mr. Evan Nelson

Assistant Principal

Mr. Nelson graduated from East Carolina University in 2014 with a BS in History Education and a BA in History. He started teaching at D.H. Conley High School in Greenville, NC, where he taught World History, Civics & Economics, and AP Psychology. In 2020, he earned his Master of School Administration from ECU. As a North Carolina Principal Fellow, he completed a full-time assistant principal internship at Bethel School, serving grades Pre-K through 8 in Bethel, NC. Following this, he assumed the role of assistant principal at Seawell Elementary in Chapel Hill in July 2020. 

"I am excited to begin working with the teachers, students, and parents of Mary Scroggs Elementary! I look forward to soaking up the knowledge and expertise of Ms. Epps, Scroggs’ teachers, the students, and our community. I can’t wait to begin working diligently to assist with the continued growth of an excellent school. At home, I have an amazing wife, a two-year-old son, a one-year-old daughter, and a dog named Cashew. In my spare time, you can find me reading books, weightlifting, walking and hiking with my family, playing guitar, and exploring the many unique towns and areas in our great state.” 

Email: evannelson@chccs.k12.nc.us

Phone: (919) 918-7165 x39100