Candace Tilghman-Rouse

Published Mar 25, 2026 by
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Lenoir County Public Schools

Candace Tilghman-Rouse earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Community Services with a concentration in Elementary Education from East Carolina University in 2003. In 2006 she completed her licensure requirements at East Carolina University and became licensed in Elementary Education.

In 2003, she began her teaching career at Bynum Elementary School in Kinston, North Carolina, where she taught first grade. Bynum Elementary closed in June 2008, and selected staff members were transferred to the newly constructed Northeast Elementary School in Kinston, North Carolina. Candace taught first and third grade. Candace also taught after-school tutorial programs while at Bynum Elementary School and at Northeast Elementary School.

During her time at Bynum Elementary School and Northeast Elementary School, Candace served as Grade Level Chairperson, School Improvement Team Member, New Teacher Mentor, and an East Carolina University Clinical Teacher.

During her time at Bynum Elementary School in Kinston, NC, Candace was named 2005-2006 Bynum Elementary School Teacher of the Year, a 2008 Kinston Free Press Newspaper in Education (NIE) Teacher of the Year, a 2022-2023 Northeast Elementary Teacher of the Year, and a 2022-2023 Lenoir County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Top 3 Finalist.

Candace is currently an Assistant Principal at Rochelle Middle School in Kinston, North Carolina. Her role includes supporting the principal in the overall administration of the school and providing support and supervision for teachers and students. She also supervises school athletic events.

Candace feels grateful and truly blessed to be a member of the East Carolina Pirate Leadership Academy. As a result of the Pirate Leadership Academy, she hopes to gain valuable leadership skills that will allow her to become a strong and equitable school leader.

An interesting fact about Candace is that she enjoys gardening and volunteers as a team mom for her son’s recreational baseball team. One of her favorite quotes is, “I can do all things through he who strengthens me.” I am strong because of HIM, which enables me to be strong enough to serve my students and staff.