By Bruce Boyer

The greatest satisfaction of a school principal is to know you made an impact on someone’s life, setting them up for success.  Dossie Poteat, Principal at East Forsyth Middle School, said the most rewarding thing about his job is when former students return and say, “I am now a doctor, lawyer, pharmacist, fashion designer,” and other careers.  Dossie remembers tutoring and guiding the students’ years ago.  Without assistance they might never have developed the skills and work ethic to make their career choice a reality.

Dossie has been a resident of Kernersville for 26 years, having taught at East Forsyth High School and then as Assistant Principal at Kernersville Middle School.  He had the opportunity to be the first principal at East Forsyth Middle School, when it opened in 2005, and has led the school ever since.

Together with his wife of 30 years, Gladys, they felt Kernersville is the “best place to raise a family.”  The couple had lived briefly in Davidson County, but moved back to Kernersville when they started their family.  Their two children, Joshua (26) and Jodi (22), thrived both in the community and at school.  Jodi danced and was a cheerleader at East Forsyth High School.  Joshua was a youth leader at the Kernersville Family YMCA and attended the Y’s statewide Youth & Government program, serving as the state Chaplin his senior year.

According to Principal Poteat, “Kernersville has everything a family needs.  It is a full service, safe community, with its own police, fire, sanitation, parks, medical facilities, specialty activities, shopping and restaurants.”

Principal Poteat enjoys the friendliness of Kernersville.  “People smile and wave to you on the street.”  When he dines out or shops, he recognizes many of the customers and workers as former students, parents, and community leaders.  He enjoys living in the community where he works, but also appreciates that his neighbors allow him to separate his personal and professional life.  “They allow me to enjoy living in Kernersville, making appointments to cover school topics.”

To Principal Poteat, “Kernersville is a community with a heart.”  His description of the Heart of the Triad is “caring people who grace our town, making it a great place.  Kernersville is the people.  As big as it gets, compassion is central.”

Compassion is rooted in their faith.  Principal Poteat said, “Faith is the foundation for our life.”  Both Dossie and Gladys are active in their church, coordinating a small group Bible study as well as teaching at the church’s Bible University.

Outside of school and church, Principal Poteat is active in several key community programs.  He is a 2003 graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Kernersville program, and now co-chairs Education Day.  He also serves on the board of Kernersville Cares for Kids, a key program to help students use positive peer encouragement to remain drug free.

Principal Poteat views Kernersville as a giving community – one that sets Kernersville head and shoulders above other parts of the county.  He gave several examples.  When East Forsyth Middle School was preparing to open, the Kernersville Foundation presented the school a grant to help purchase needed equipment.  Kernersville civic organizations and businesses “adopt” specific schools, providing excellent financial and volunteer support.  EFMS benefits from scores of volunteers from the community, and also from parents who volunteer or frequently come to the school to have lunch with their children.  All of the Kernersville public schools benefit from the education grant program of the Chamber of Commerce, making Kernersville the model of community support for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District.  Principal Poteat also sets an example by dining out on the Eating for Education promotional days.

As we begin another school year, Principal Dossie Poteat knows he is preparing 750 students for success.  He looks forward to them stopping by his office years from now to say, “Principal Poteat, thanks to you I am now a _______.”  He will joy in knowing he played a role in helping them achieve their goals.