Sara has been in KCS since 2002, has taught third grade, sixth grade ELA and Social Studies, seventh grade ELA and seventh and eighth grade honors ELA, coached cheerleading, track and field, and cross-country, has served as the AIG Coordinator for the district, as an Assistant Principal at AL Brown High School, and in April of 2022 entered the role as A. L. Brown Principal.  

Originally from Rochester, NY, Sara Newell moved to Kannapolis in 2002 after completing her undergraduate degree in elementary education at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY. Sara also minored in Psychology while at St. Bonaventure University. As a life-long learner, Sara earned her National Boards in 2009, her masters in Middle Grades from Gardner-Webb University in 2013, her AIG certification from UNC-Charlotte in 2015, her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University in 2018, and most recently, her Educational Leadership License from Gardner-Webb University in 2019. Sara continues to adjunct at Gardner-Webb University in both their Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs. 

Sara’s educational philosophy is that students should be at the heart of all educational decisions and that all students have the chance to succeed. Using this philosophy as a guiding force, Sara continues to advocate for students’ best interests in all she does and hopes to serve as a role model for the students and families in Kannapolis City Schools. 

Mr. Restrepo is originally from West Haven, Connecticut.  Born from Colombian immigrants, Mauricio moved with his wife and children to the Charlotte Area in 2013.  He has his associates degree from Gateway Community College, his Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish from Southern Connecticut State University and his Master’s in School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  He also has his certificate in Curriculum and Supervision. 

Mr. Restrepo taught with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools at West Mecklenburg High School.  As the AP Spanish Teacher and department chair, he helped students reach their goals year after year.  As the Student Government Advisor he helped students lead others to their own successes. Mauricio believes all students can succeed and wants to help them realize their own path to success.  He is a 2022 fellow with LatinexEd.  He truly feels all Wonders can be successful and no two paths are the same.  

Ms. Reynolds started her teaching career at A. L. Brown High School in 2004.  She taught math before transitioning to the Freshman Academy coordinator.  She then went on to teach math at Lake Norman High School and Mallard Creek High School before becoming an assistant principal at Jesse C. Carson High School in 2015.  In 2021, Ms. Reynolds came back home to A. L. Brown as an assistant principal.  Ms. Reynolds received her bachelor's degree in Middle Childhood Education with a focus on mathematics and science from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.  In 2011, she received her master's degree in School Administration from Western Carolina University.