Speas Elementary School

Robert Ash, Principal

Welcome to Speas Global Elementary! We anticipate having a wonderful 2023-2024 school year! I just want to take a moment to welcome you to WSFCS's authorized IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP)! It is a privilege to work with you and your children and I look forward to getting to know you this year and continuing on our IB journey together.

In April 2022, the IB conducted an Evaluation Visit to our school. Each IB World School is regularly evaluated to ensure that the standards and practices of the IB programme are maintained. Evaluation takes place at least once every five years. As part of the process, our school engages in a self-study that is a key element in the school’s continual improvement. We are excited to celebrate this milestone with our learning community and continue working to make improvements.

Let me tell you a little about myself.  I received my undergraduate degree in History from Florida State University in 1994.  I also obtained my Master's degree in Education from Florida State University in 1997.  My teaching internship for my Master's degree took place at Orleans Park School in London, England.  

Upon returning to the United States, I began my first teaching job at Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville, MD.  Two years later, I moved to Kernersville, NC and began teaching at the LEAP Academy at Kennedy Middle School.  My first daughter was born at that time.  I worked for 3 years in Guilford County at Western Guilford High School and Page High School.  

I became the Assistant Principal of Ashley Elementary in 2004; my first foray into an elementary school setting.  I loved working with elementary school students and teachers right away!  In 2009, I was honored to become the Principal of that wonderful school. I had the privilege of becoming Principal at Speas Elementary in April of 2013 and my second daughter was born in the Fall of 2013.

I am very committed to our students and providing a truly global education for all. Speas became a Global Schools Network site in the 2013-2014 school year. That same school year, we began our Spanish Dual Language Immersion program with a Kindergarten class.

During the 2015-2016 school year, Speas took another step forward to offer an international education for all students. In February 2015, the district chose Speas to apply to become an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Our staff worked over the summers to begin this journey, which takes about 3 years to become fully authorized by the IB Organization.

On May 23, 2016, Speas Global Elementary School was recognized as a PYP candidate school* for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and pursued authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging international education that we at Speas Global Elementary School believe is important for our students. These accomplishments and distinctions help Speas Global to be chosen as a Magnet School in WSFCS beginning in the 2016-17 school year.

Coupled with our top notch technology, Speas Global will provide abundant opportunities for our students to be internationally minded and understand a true global society. We are dedicated to providing a high-quality international education for a better world.  We aim to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people.   

If you ever have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.