Julie Shields was recently removed from her position as Principal of Bearfield Primary School, causing complete shock among students, parents, and community members in Hertford County (and beyond). Her dedication to public schools spans over 40 years.  

Words can't truly express what Mrs. Shields means to so many people.  A former employee shared her thoughts on Mrs. Shields and they perfectly summarize the type of person we are letting go:

"Julie Shields has heart. She is one of the few left standing that do. She leads from it and she loves people and children as whole humans not data numbers.
As a staff member I remember when my mother was incredibly sick, I was so overcome with grief and worry that she came into my room. I had been struggling and I thought I was in trouble.
She closed the door and held me as I sobbed.
When I found out I was pregnant with my second miracle baby I couldn’t wait to tell her, she of course jumped up and down with joy.
I’ve seen her cut playground grass with a push mower in 90 degrees, pay out of pocket for supplies, attend funerals, work until lights off, made sure babies had enough to eat, the list could go on for weeks.
As a principal I know no one else that gives students a fresh start daily, someone who wants to know about their trauma and what students are going through.
She is one of the reasons why I still believe that good principals exist because the fact is you look around and it’s practically non existent anymore.
I drove quite a ways for her to be my boss because of what she could teach me as an educator and a future administrator and I don’t know anyone that could have led her team through COVID the way she did, while remaining humble and with a giving spirit.
To this day if you ask me the most influential leader I have ever had, Julie Shields will be the name you hear me say.
She is made of things that people don’t believe exist anymore in education.
In a world full of most administrative personnel knowing children based on numbers, federal dollars, and paperwork, Julie is at piano recitals, holding hands with mamas, handing tissues to teared up daddies at growth meetings.
She knows her families.
She knows her staff as whole humans and she knows them more than just a paycheck.
She goes to bat, often times leaving herself to take the brunt.
Julie has given everything she has to her community. There’s right and there’s wrong and this is wrong.
There is absolutely no way people are going to let her go without showing their support, if you assumed that, that is the biggest mistake anyone could ever make.
Mrs. Shields wants to remain in her position and she has earned the right to decide when she is ready."

Dr. Pratt and Hertford County Board of Education - This is just a small snapshot of the type of person Julie Shields is.  This woman has given everything to public schools in Hertford County for decades.  Is this the thanks she gets?

I've heard a lot about test scores over the past few days.  I'm certain that you all know that education encompasses so much more than test scores.  Down years in test scores happen.  Does that erase all the blood, sweat, and tears someone has given?

I know that there are literally thousands of people that have been touched by Julie Shields - employees, administrators, family, friends, and community members.  As Mrs. Shields would tell you, the most important of these are the students (past and present) that she has loved and supported.

Sometimes students need just one person to believe in them. Sometimes they need a hug.  Sometimes they need someone to just show up for them.  Sometimes they need someone to tell them "I love you." Julie Shields has provided all of these things and so much more.

To Superintendent Pratt and the members of the Hertford County Board of Education:

We demand that the school board reconsider their decision and reinstate Mrs. Shields as principal of Bearfield Primary School.

Please show your support and sign this petition.