She has served as interim principal since April. Purcell, a life-long resident of Orange County, has worked for Orange County Schools since 1996 as a teacher, associate principal, director of student services, and most recently as interim principal.

"We are extremely pleased to name Ms. Purcell as the new principal of C.W. Stanford," said Orange County Schools Superintendent Patrick Rhodes. "She has the full support of the teachers and district staff, as well as the skills and tenacity to take Stanford to the next level."

Purcell began her career with Orange County Schools as a teaching assistant in a reading remediation class. She taught English language arts and social studies at A. L. Stanback Middle School before moving to Orange High School to teach world geography and debate. In 1999, she was hired as an associate principal at Orange High School where she served until her promotion to director of student services in 2004.

Purcell received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Middle School Education from Elon University, and received another master's degree at N.C State.