For 30 years, National Heritage Academies (NHA®) has thrived because of enthusiastic people like Lori Hill who pour their hearts into their schools and classrooms.
From opening the doors of Forsyth Academy to serving as a Director of School Quality, Lori’s path is filled with a commitment to students, staff, and NHA’s mission.
Taking a Leap of Faith
Lori still laughs when she says she started with NHA “back in the 1900s.” She’s not wrong, the year was 1999, and the charter school movement was just beginning in North Carolina.
She was teaching part time while raising her young daughter when a principal preparing to open Forsyth Academy called her about a new charter school opportunity. She wasn’t even sure what a charter school was.
“It sounded kind of neat,” she said. “I met with him, learned about the model, and decided to take a leap of faith.”
That leap changed her life. Lori joined the founding staff at Forsyth Academy as a first-grade teacher, bringing with her seven years of experience and a deep love for helping young learners grow.
Growing Into Leadership
One of the most meaningful parts of Lori’s journey has been discovering leadership potential she never knew she had.
“I’d always gravitated toward little leadership roles such as a school improvement team chair or a team lead,” Lori said. “But I never pictured myself as an administrator.”
Then her principal asked if she’d consider becoming an assistant principal. That question opened the door to a pathway she never expected but quickly embraced.
She served as assistant principal for five years, then principal for another five. A few years later Lori was approached about becoming a DSQ. “I remember thinking, What? Me? But that’s the cool thing about NHA. We see potential in people they may not yet see in themselves.”
This philosophy has shaped Lori’s leadership style.
“I look at some of our principals today, and many of them were deans I hired years ago. Watching them grow has been incredible.”
When Lori thinks about her favorite memories, they aren’t single moments, they’re milestones.
From opening two new schools to helping NHA expand to 16 academies in North Carolina, she has seen it all, including: ribbon cuttings, charter approvals, new-school launches, and even presentations that helped support growth outside North Carolina.
“It’s been really special to be part of that expansion,” she said. “North Carolina has always partnered well with us. There’s this shared mindset of collaboration and hard work.”
After decades of experience, Lori speaks with confidence about what makes NHA schools special.
“It always goes back to the heart and mind,” she said. “The combination of strong academics and Moral Focus™ appeals to families and staff. That’s part of our DNA.”
She also sees firsthand how NHA’s learning environment sets students up for success.
“We know our kids. If they stay with us from kindergarten to eighth grade, we’ve watched them grow every step of the way.”
In the end, Lori says it is the relationships that have had the most impact.
“It really has been the people,” she said. “Some of us have been growing together for 25 or 26 years. That sense of partnership and shared mission has made this journey special.”
A Fun Fact: Two Sides of Lori
At work, Lori is known for her polished style: heels, dresses, and especially shoes.
“I’m known for animal print,” she joked. “I’ve walked into buildings and people say, ‘No leopard prints today?’ I guess I wear it more than I realize!”
But at home, she transforms completely.
“We live on a farm with two horses, a donkey, a dog. On weekends, its pajamas, barn boots, mud, and muck.”
And then there’s the cowboy boots.
“I have a wall of boots, at least 16 pairs! I love them. Shoes are definitely my thing.”
Thank you, Lori, for your leadership and an inside look at your closet!
Congratulations on 26 years!
About Forsyth Academy
Forsyth Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®)network, which includes over 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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