My name is Kelly Flora, Ed.S., and I have dedicated 29 years to public education in Virginia and North Carolina. I currently serve as the principal of Nags Head Elementary School in Dare County, a role that reflects my greatest passion: supporting students, empowering educators, and being actively involved in all aspects of teaching and learning.
I began my career as an Exceptional Children’s teacher and elementary classroom teacher, spending 14 years in the classroom before transitioning into school administration. I served as an assistant principal and principal in Currituck County Schools and later served nearly four years as Director of Elementary Education for Dare County Schools before returning to school-based leadership.
I hold a Bachelor of Science from Barton College in Elementary Education (K–6) and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education (K–12), a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Gardner-Webb University, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. I also hold certifications in AIG from UVA’s Curry School of Education, Reading Recovery from The Ohio State University, and Singapore Math from the University of Tennessee.
I am honored to have been named the 2026 Northeast Region Principal of the Year. This recognition has further strengthened my commitment to continued learning, educational leadership, and advocating for students and educators across North Carolina.
I currently reside in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina with my husband, Brad, our four boys, and our bulldog, Sherman Douglas.