Terrence Covington has been named principal of Neal Middle School, where he served as the seventh-grade assistant principal. Covington coordinated and oversaw the school’s RISE Summer Camp, created the school’s Alternative Learning Center, and took Neal Middle School to victory in the national Schools of the Future competition in 2019 after making it to the finals in 2016. He has previously been a school counselor, community support worker, and youth services behavioral specialist. He earned multiple Master of Arts degrees from North Carolina Central University.

Prior to entering field of education, Mr. Covington worked in the juvenile justice system as well as the adolescent mental health system. Mr. Covington's entire professional career has been dedicated to helping young people reach their goals and tap into their potential. He is a firm believer that all students have the ability to achieve at a high level and that relationship building and setting high standards are the keys to the positive results we want for our students. Mr. Covington is fully committed to the process of student growth, proficiency, and college/career readiness.

Diondris Nicole Edwards is a lifelong educator with 24 years of experience in elementary and middle grades. Her educational background includes serving as a teacher, grant writer, Instructional Facilitator, Math Science Education Network (MSEN) STEM Specialist, Testing Coordinator, Magnet Coordinator, and Instructional Coach. Prior to her employment with Durham Public Schools, Nicole Edwards served in educational capacities in Wake County Public Schools, Harnett County Schools and Cumberland County Schools. She received numerous awards, which include Team of the Year, Employee of Excellence, Magnet School of Distinction, and Magnet School of Excellence. Nicole is known for her unwavering support of students and empowering educators to achieve their goals. Nicole Edwards holds a Master of School Administration degree from North Carolina Central University.

Mr. Barringer, or “Mr. B” to many, has worked for Durham Public Schools for the past 8 years. He has proudly served the students at Lowe’s Grove Magnet Middle School by teaching 7th and 8th grade social studies.

A native of Concord, NC, Mr. Barringer  earned a Bachelor’s degree in history and Secondary Education from UNC-Greensboro. Mr. Barringer also has a MAT and a Masters in School Administration from UNC-Greensboro. Throughout his educational journey, he has held a variety of leadership positions, including University Supervisor at UNCG, Social Studies Department Chair, Chair of the School Improvement Team, PBIS Coach, STAC Representation and Equity Champion, an active member of NCDPI’s NC Council on the Holocaust, and many more. 

Mr. Barringer values good laughs, building relationships, authenticity, integrity, hard work, structure and routine, attention-to-detail, and good, genuine people. He has a wife named Kira, who is a vet-tech, 2 dogs, Sophie and Oliver, and one cat named Jasmine.

Mr. Barringer is proud to join the Neal Family, and is looking forward to supporting staff, increasing student achievement, empowering students, and strengthening our school community. 

Ms. Hedspeth has served in various capacities in her 25 years of education, including a bus driver, teacher assistant, teacher, coach, and an administrator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from North Carolina Central University, a Masters of Executive Leadership from Gardner Webb University, and an Education Specialist degree from Liberty University. She is also a current doctoral candidate at Liberty University.

Ms. Hedgspeth has two wonderful adult children and an awesome son-in-law. Her grand dog Diggs allows her to carry the title of “grand” while she patiently waits to have grandchildren someday. When she is not working, she is probably somewhere riding ATVs, reading, watching sports, shopping, traveling, or spending time with family.