Welcome, Pence Families ~ 

I am beyond thrilled to begin my first year as your principal. For families new to Pence Middle, I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself! This is my 30th year in education, with 25 years of teaching experience and 5 years of experience as an administrator. I have been blessed to work at Pence Middle as a reading specialist, assistant principal, and now principal.

The TA district is near and dear to my heart because I live and work there. For the past 24 years, I have lived on a dairy and poultry farm in the Rawley Springs/ Ottobine area with my husband, Chris, and my two sons, Channing and Tyson. 

As an administrator, I continue to focus on instilling a sense of belonging for all community members. We will foster and grow each young person's strengths and unique qualities by creating the best possible middle school experience for all our students with the support and active engagement of faculty, staff, families, and community members. I am excited to continue our work together to facilitate an experience where all of our students know they have a place where they belong. 

 We are committed to meeting all students where they are, challenging them to accomplish desired goals, and supporting them to their future destinations. Our teachers understand the critical role they play in the development of a middle school child, and they embrace that responsibility with enthusiasm, creativity, and focus. We take a collaborative approach when planning high-quality lessons to ensure authentic and engaging learning experiences occur in the classroom. 

As a staff, we prioritize building positive relationships with our dedicated families and outstanding Turner Ashby District community members. Our strong partnership makes Pence Middle School a fantastic place to learn.

I appreciate your support, and we are looking forward to an incredible school year. 

It’s a great day to be a Knight!

Best regards,

Teresa Shank

Principal 

Wilbur S. Pence Middle

History of WSPMS

Wilbur S. Pence Middle School’s history began in 1986 when the Rockingham County school board voted to build a new Turner Ashby High School. By the fall of 1989, the new Turner Ashby High School opened and the old high school was converted to a middle school in the place of John Wayland Intermediate School. The new middle school was named after long-time superintendent, Wilbur S. Pence (1950-1971) who had lived a short distance from the school. From 2002-2007 Wilbur S. Pence Middle School went through a long-term construction and renovation project. A new, two-story wing expanded classroom space for sixth grades with updated technology. The renovation of the rest of the building updated the structure to support the larger school student population and accommodate technology. In 2013 the front vestibule was added for building security. Smaller updates, improvements, and renovations have since been ongoing to provide our students with a building to be proud of! Teresa Shank is the current principal.

Previous principals include:

John Childs 2019 - 2024
Camala Kite 2014-2018
Mary Shifflett 1998-2014
James Slye 1997-1998
Jo Anne Wenger 1992-1997
Brownie Cummins 1986-1992